When this New York undercover policeman exposed police curruption, fears for his safety caused him to quit the police force and leave the U.S. for Europe. In 1973 a film about his life was made. What was his name, and which actor pleyd him in the film?

The officer in question was Frank Serpico, an idealistic New York City policeman who, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, refused to accept the rampant bribery and corruption that was common practice within the department. After his attempts to report the misconduct internally were ignored, Serpico and another officer took their story to The New York Times. His explosive testimony before the Knapp Commission, which was formed to investigate the corruption he exposed, made him a hero to the public but a pariah among his colleagues.

His dramatic story was adapted into the acclaimed 1973 film "Serpico," directed by Sidney Lumet. The title role was played by a young Al Pacino, who delivered a powerful, career-defining performance that captured Serpico's righteous frustration and isolation. The role earned Pacino an Academy Award nomination and cemented his status as a major Hollywood star.

The fears for Serpico's safety were well-founded. In 1971, he was shot in the face during a drug raid under suspicious circumstances, and he believed his fellow officers failed to support him. After receiving the NYPD's Medal of Honor, he resigned from the force in 1972. He moved to Europe, living for a decade in Switzerland and the Netherlands, and has remained a powerful symbol of whistleblowing and integrity ever since.