Hero Curtis Sliwa

As a young man, Polish-Italian American Curtis Sliwa worked as a night manager at a McDonald's in a rough section of the Bronx. Crime there was rampant, and Sliwa, who had gained some self-defense skills, took it upon himself to do something about it.

In 1979 he formed a 13-member patrol group that he dubbed The Magnificent 13. The group's name was soon changed to the Guardian Angels. The group's members patrolled the mean streets, unarmed, wearing a white t-shirt and red beret. Soon they became a familiar sight in New York City, especially after dark around the city's restaurants.

Sliwa, a born promoter, pulled numerous publicity stunts and fake heroics to gain recognition for the organization. Even so, the group gained not only recognition, but admiration. A few years later, Sliwa formed a Guardian Angels patrol in Buffalo, NY, as well. From there, the reach of the Angels has spread.

Now "chapters" of this organization, 5,000 members strong, are reportedly operating in around nine nations in major cities and small towns.

Sliwa was attacked twice by the New York Mob. In the second attack, thought to have been made in retaliation for Sliwa's comments critical of Mob boss John Gotti, Sliwa was shot three times but survived.

Both before and after this second attack, Sliwa was a New York City radio talk-show host. He is of conservative bent and also has served as guest host for fellow right-wing talk-show hosts such as Sean Hannity and Mark Levin.

A more recent offshoot of Sliwa's efforts are the CyberAngels, whose assignment is to patrol the Internet.