Frank Serpico is a former New York City Police Department (NYPD) detective, born on April 14, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York. He gained fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s for his courageous stand against widespread corruption within the NYPD. Serpico's whistleblowing efforts led to the establishment of the Knapp Commission, which investigated police corruption. His story became widely known after the release of the 1973 film "Serpico," where Al Pacino portrayed him, highlighting his struggle and the personal dangers he faced, including being shot in the face during a drug bust. Serpico's actions and the subsequent fallout illustrate the challenges and risks of confronting systemic corruption in law enforcement.