In the spring of 1984 Tony created "The Dancing Cop."

In 1986, Tony was one of the features on a "350th anniversary promotional poster titled "People Places & Things" commemorating Providence. He was the only living person on the poster. It was put in a time capsule by Mayor Paolino at City Hall, and will be reopened in 2036. Knowing Tony he`ll be there.

"The Dancing Cop ™" originated in the spring of 1984, and the first article ever written about Tony was on May 1, 1984 by the Providence Journal called: KEEP IT MOVING! Making traffic flow with flair.  It was the beginning of a very long legacy of local, national, and world wide media coverage.

In 1986, Tony was in a newspaper from Paris, France, most of the newspaper clippings that he saves are sent to him, from people around the world.

Tony makes it on NBC Nightly News 1987.

A camera man from NBC dodges traffic for a good take.

In 1987, Tony appears in a German Magazine.

On Christmas Eve Day 1987, Tony dons a Santa hat and hands out candy canes to the children. Since then it's a Down City tradition.

Even though Tony retired in 1989, newly elected Mayor Cianci persuaded him to make a come back during the Christmas Season of 1992. Because of his popularity, from then on he has performed at many national shows and events.

Besides being in most of the local newspapers Tony also was featured in many national and world wide newspapers and magazines. Here he is in the "Chicago Sun Times" in ' 95.

In ' 95 he`s also in The Boston Globe.

Tony made the cover of "RI Monthly" in Feb. of ' 96.

Again he is on the cover of the RI Monthly Oct. of ' 96 issue

In Dec. of 1996 "The Today Show" came to RI to film Tony for a promotional spot. In the photo joking with Tony is producer Hal Glicksman of NBC.

Tony meets one of his favorite actors. Now the late great Anthony Quinn.

In ' 97 he appeared on the Rosie O`Donnell Show. The photo is a shot of his rehearsal the day before the show.

Tony meets one of the "Nasty Boys" of the WWF at a ' 97 "Special Olympics" Celebrity Carnival.

Tony meets old friend Ernie Degregorio. Star of PC and the Boston Celtics, and a familiar face on the Foxwoods commercials.

This is "Sting" of the WCW.

This is Red Sox slugger Jim Rice.

Here Tony is horsing around with "Celts" great, Jo Jo White.

Tony`s mustache changes department dress code.
When Tony first joined the Providence Police Dept.as a recruit he had to shave his mustache off because of strict department regulations.  After he retired in `89 he grew it back, and donned it for the Christmas event in `92 for his re-swearing in.  In `97 the department tried to appropriate mustaches to the dress code by using Tony as an example.  After a trial period the code was appropriated permanently. 

Tony meets Bruton Smith, owner of the Texas Motor Speedway.

Tony is there for the opening of the Fort Worth, Texas Motor Speedway. The Dallas Morning News feature in April of ' 97.

Tony watches the race with Loretta Lynn at the Texas Motor Speedway after their performances.

One of Tony visits to Hasbro Children Hospital.

This clip is from a newspaper from France in `97.

Here`s a clip from a newspaper from Hamburg, Germany in `97.

In `97, all the way from the "Gulf Today Potpourri Newspaper" which is a publication for our troops in Arabia.

Dec. of `97 the Bangkok Post.

The New York Post, Dec. of `98.

In `98 featured in the Japan Times.

Here he is in Manila Standard in `98.

Tony hits the stage at Trinity Repertory Co. in the Charles Dickens`s classic "A Christmas Carol." The play had an RI flavor and Tony played himself. He also appeared in 5 other singing and dancing scenes.

Here he`s featured in the Dec. `98 Boston Herald.

In Nov. of `98, Tony accepted an award from "The League of Woman Voters " after performing a traffic event urging people to go out to vote.

Here`s Tony with the late Julia Child at a fund raiser in `99.

Here he is in the Houston Chronicle in `99.

Washington Post in `99.

In 2000, he`s with Harlem Globetrotter Curley Neal.

Tony`s is with Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake a former WWF Superstar.

Feb 2001, Tony, Nick, Ron and Pete did cameos in the play "Oliver," a "Jonny Cake Theater" production.

He took the last piece of pizza, but Tony wasn't about to say anything to "Jake The Snake" the WWF Superstar.

Lou Albano, wrestling and also MTV star.

Pawtucket`s Mayor Doyle stops to chat with Tony before the annual "St. Patrick`s, Day" parade in 2000.

At the 2000 Bristol 4th of July Parade this group won first prize for the most original commercial float. The title of the float was Christmas in July. From left to right is: Big John Bina of B101, Tony, TV personality Bob Venturini, Fran Slater as Mrs Santa , Peter Sullivan as Santa Claus, and one of the judges.

In 2001, Curtis wanted to propose to his girl friend Dawn in front of their favorite traffic director. (She accepted.)

Tony gets a 10 at the 2001 Gaspee Day Parade.

Congressman Patrick Kennedy at the 2001 "Special Olympics" lunchen."

The Maryland Sun in Dec. 2001.

The first edition of the "Providence Dancing Cop" bean bag doll hits the market in Dec. of 2001.

In Feb 2002, MBC Korean Television was making a tour of famous people and places in United States for a variety show in South Korea.

They stayed three days in RI to film Tony.

Feb. of 2002, Chris Whitten the morning host of CAT Country 98.1 lost a bet that his beloved NY Jets would

have a better season than the NE Patriots. Guess who

lost? Because he lost he had to dress up like a NE

Patriots Cheerleader in 10 degree weather waving on

the morning commuters at Kennedy Plaza in Down City, Providence.    

In 2002 Tony takes time to take a picture with producer Vincent Pagano and director James Quattrochi of "Jesus Mary and Joey" in which Tony appeared.

Tony is on the set of "Jesus Mary and Joey" with director Quattrochi and the cast.

The charity close to Tony`s heart is the Alzheimer `s Association. His Dad died of the disease and his calendar

is always open for that organization. This is the annual "Memory Walk" which is held on the last weekend in Sept.

The "NIROPE`s" were the Grand Marshals of the Westerly`s "Columbus Day Parade" along with Tony and candidate for Governor John Carcieri.

In Oct. 2002, Tony performs at grand re-opening for the Harvest Deli in Pawtucket. Owners Ann and Mike and daughter Jen are pictured.

Providence Monthly Magazine Dec. 2002  titled 

Local Icons

Tony performs at Benny`s Dept.Store on Branch Ave. Providence, RI.

The Pool & Patio Center, Inc. of Coventry, RI. had a "Meet The Providence Dancing Cop Day."

Here is Tony performing at 4 Yawkey Way outside of Fenway Park on RI Day in Sept.of 2003.

Tony joins Governor Carcieri on the field at Fenway for the RI Day ceremonies. At the right of Tony is Miss RI.

The 10th Victor J. Venturini Memorial "Toys for Tots" Telethon of 2003 was a big success. The event is named after the father of TV personality Bob Venturini. His father died when Bob was 8yrs.old. Bob knows how it is was with his mother struggling to make ends meet. He spoke of many Christmas Day mornings with nothing under his christmas tree.

Tony gets a left hook and right cross for IBU World Junior Middleweight Champion Peter Manfredo, Jr. and World Rated Super Lightweight Contender, Jamie "Hurrciane" Clampitt.

Manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona had to catch a train back to Boston, but he took time to take a picture with Tony during the 2003 "Special Olymipics Celebrity Luncheon."

In Aug of 2004, Tony did his 3rd Mr. Gutter commercial. "MR. WHO" of the commercial is on the right.

In 2004 the 2nd edition of "The Dancing Cop" bean bag doll hits the retail market. The new addition has a leather jacket with sun glasses.

Benny`s opens another store, this one is on Atwood Ave in Cranston, RI. Tony is there as always directing traffic and greeting his fans.

On Oct. 2nd of 2004, Tony meets old friend Drew Bolarinho at The Leukemia Foundations, "Light The Night" Event. Drew is a survivor of the disease, and Tony has visited him periodically for 5 years. Since his recovery, this is the first time in a year that Tony has seen him.