NYPD Detective Joseph Puchiano, 'Italian Sherlock Holmes,' Receives Proper Burial After 95 Years

Honoring Detective Joseph Puchiano

• 💡 Detective Joseph Puchiano, known as the "Italian Sherlock Holmes," who died of tuberculosis in 1928, was finally given a ceremonial funeral service and headstone.
• 📌 Despite his fame as a detective, he was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Puchiano's Legacy and Career

• 🕵️‍♂️ Puchiano was a tough, smart, and savvy investigator, dubbed "The Master Detective" by the press.
• 🗣️ Born in Italy, he spoke four languages and joined the NYPD in 1905, quickly rising to detective.
• 🔫 He was a key member of the force's famed Italian squad, targeting mob murders and busting gangsters, reportedly locking up 95% of the men he went after.
• 📰 His crime-fighting exploits were widely covered in newspapers, with one report noting his critical eye, deep memory, and good luck.

Rediscovery and Final Tribute

• 🔍 The detectives union learned about Puchiano's unmarked grave last year and funded a proper headstone.
• 🤝 They discovered he was buried next to Detective Bernardo Gratano, who was killed in the line of duty in 1924.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Puchiano's family, some traveling from Georgia and South Carolina, gathered for the ceremony to officially pay their respects.
• ✨ The event brought joy to his descendants, knowing their father and his siblings would be proud of this posthumous recognition.