Frank Rizzo

Rizzo in 1972

Francis Lazarro "Frank" Rizzo, Sr. (October 23, 1920 – July 16, 1991) was an American politician. He was the Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1972 through 1980. He was also the police commissioner as well. When he was mayor, Rizzo was a Democrat, but when he left office, Rizzo became a Republican in 1986.

Biography

Rizzo was born in Philadelphia. His father, Rafael, worked as a police officer. He grew up in a row house neighborhood in South Philadelphia. In his senior year of high school, he left Southern High School. He later obtained a high school equivalency diploma and took government courses at the Fels Institute of Government.

After enlisting in the United States Navy, Rizzo served on the USS Houston cruiser for 19 months. However, he was medically discharged due to diabetes insipidus. Upon returning to Philadelphia, Rizzo found employment at Midvale Steel, where he contributed to the production of naval guns in preparation for World War II. Rizzo's father was actually a big part of his life he helped him become what he was because his father was a police officer. Rizzo was commissioner from 1968 to 1971 and eventually became mayor in 1972. While he was mayor his relationships with the black community was very violent and devastating. Others would say he was racially motivated only because he would liked to target activities in black neighborhoods.

Rizzo died of a heart attack on July 16, 1991 in Philadelphia, aged 70.

Frank Rizzo Media

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  The mural shows Frank Rizzo in Philadelphia's Italian Market. The mural was painted over in 2020.

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  Statue of Rizzo that formerly stood in front of the Municipal Services Building in Center City Philadelphia. The statue was removed in 2020.

Other websites

Media related to Frank Rizzo at Wikimedia Commons

• Biographical sketch of Rizzo's controversial methods Archived 2015-03-12 at the Wayback Machine
• Frank Rizzo at Find a Grave