Finalist in AMW All-Star Contest

NYPD Officer Who Combines Compassion with Crime-Fighting

Is Named Finalist in AMW All-Star Contest


March 31, 2009 – A New York City cop with a big heart has been chosen by the public as a finalist in the 2009 AMW All-Star contest, sponsored by Sprint. The contest recognizes outstanding achievements by first responders. Members of the public who voted at the America’s Most Wanted website, AMW.com, recognized Officer Susan Porcello’s humanity in a job that often calls for emotions to be put aside.


Officer Porcello has been with the NYPD since 1998. Last July, she responded to a 911call from the residence of an elderly man who was ill. Gasper Musso had no family or friends, but after assisting him, Officer Porcello changed that. Not only did she open her heart to him, but for the next six months, she and her partner provided Mr. Musso with the things he needed to care for himself. And when she learned that he was a retired U.S. Marine, Officer Porcello was determined not to let his service to our nation be forgotten. When Mr. Musso died in November, 2008, Officer Porcello and her partner made sure he received full military burial privileges. In addition, she provided for his wake, the mass and burial at her own expense. Officer Porcello received the Public Servant of the Year Award from Little Italy Merchant Association (LIMA), and the Rocco Laurie Memorial Award for outstanding police work for her demonstration of compassion and dedication to Gasper Musso in Life and Death. She recently was also given THE SHIELDS of Long Island award for Police Officer of the month for her ability, courage and understanding, which have won the respect, confidence and admiration of her fellow police officers.


Susan Porcello becomes the sixth of eight weekly finalists chosen by the public in this year’s AMW All-Star Contest. Any first responder, such as police, firefighter or EMT, is eligible for the contest, and any member of the public can nominate and vote for their favorite first responder online at AMW.com.


Each weekly finalist will be profiled on America’s Most Wanted (Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX). Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand-prize winner. In May, AMW Host John Walsh will present the 2009 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Nominations are open at AMW.com until April 4, 2009. Members of the public may vote for their favorite first responder once a day, every day. Finalist voting runs through April 12, and the grand-prize winner voting will run April 16-May 5.