Joseph Occhipinti
Founder of the National Police Defense Foundation
Joseph Occhipinti’s story is one of resilience, injustice, and determination an experience that led to the creation of the National Police Defense Foundation and its mission to protect those who protect us.
Joseph Occhipinti shares his personal story in his book, Framed: I Never Stood a Chance.
The Story Behind the Mission
In Framed: I Never Stood a Chance, Joseph Occhipinti shares the powerful true story that shaped the mission of the National Police Defense Foundation, offering a firsthand account of injustice, resilience, and the fight to protect those who serve.
A Career in Law Enforcement
Joseph Occhipinti’s commitment to public service began early in his life as a native New Yorker, leading him to pursue a career in law enforcement. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College while attending night classes, he joined the United States Army Reserves in 1969, serving as a Military Policeman at Fort Hamilton in New York.
In 1972, he began his federal law enforcement career as a Customs Patrol Officer with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he investigated international drug trafficking and organized crime throughout the New York City tri-state area. In less than five years, he compiled one of the highest felony arrest and contraband seizure records in Customs Service history.
Continuing his career in federal service, he later transferred to the Immigration & Naturalization Service, where he became recognized as one of the country’s foremost experts in ethnic organized crime and international smuggling operations.
A Defining Career
During his tenure with the Immigration & Naturalization Service, Joseph Occhipinti undertook some of the most dangerous and complex assignments in federal law enforcement. In 1979, he worked deep undercover, infiltrating a major Dominican drug cartel an operation that led to one of the largest cocaine seizures in United States history.
His expertise and leadership quickly set him apart, and in 1983 he became the youngest agent ever promoted to Chief of the New York City Anti-Smuggling Unit. His work placed him at the forefront of the fight against organized crime and international smuggling.
After years of high-risk undercover operations, he retired in 1990 due to a disability attributed to his service, concluding a distinguished federal law enforcement career.
The Creation of the National Police Defense Foundation
In 1995, Joseph Occhipinti, together with his wife Angela, founded the National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF) with a mission to protect and support law enforcement officers and their families. What began as a grassroots effort quickly grew into one of the largest police foundations in the United States, extending its reach internationally.
Under his leadership, the organization has built a nationwide network of support, providing critical legal and medical assistance to members of the law enforcement community. Today, the NPDF serves more than 200,000 members and supporters worldwide, continuing its commitment to those who protect and serve.
Impact and Programs
Through the National Police Defense Foundation, Joseph Occhipinti has led the development of programs that provide meaningful support to law enforcement officers, their families, and communities nationwide. The foundation’s mission to “Protect & Support” is carried out through a range of initiatives focused on public safety, child protection, and officer support.
Among the most impactful is the congressionally recognized Safe Cop program, which offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who harm law enforcement officers. This initiative has played a critical role in bringing offenders to justice across the country.
He also established the internationally recognized Operation Kids program, which has distributed hundreds of thousands of fingerprint and DNA identification kits, supported missing children investigations, funded youth programs, and provided life-saving medical assistance to critically ill children around the world.
Recognition and Legacy
Joseph Occhipinti’s work has been recognized both nationally and internationally for its impact on law enforcement and humanitarian efforts. Through the success of programs like Operation Kids, he has helped save the lives of critically ill children around the world and has been honored by governments, organizations, and public officials for these efforts.
His contributions have been featured in national media and acknowledged through numerous awards, including international humanitarian honors, recognition from legislative bodies, and commendations from law enforcement organizations. Among his many distinctions are three U.S. Attorney General Awards and dozens of official commendations for meritorious service and valor.
Today, he is widely regarded as one of the most decorated federal agents in United States history, and he continues to lead the National Police Defense Foundation with a mission rooted in service, protection, and support for those who serve.
