An admired Massachusetts sheriff has apologized to the community and begged for forgiveness after he was caught breaking the same laws he swore to uphold.
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi was arrested Saturday at the MGM Springfield casino. He appeared in court Monday and was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Outside the courthouse, 22News reported that the eight-year sheriff stressed that his actions were wrong.
He said: ‘I regret that I failed to live up to the high standards I have set for myself, my staff and the public involved in justice. I take full responsibility for what happened last Saturday.
“In both my personal and professional life, I stand by my actions. I look forward to moving forward with the Sheriff’s Office and continuing the great work my team does for our community every day.”
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi was arrested Saturday for driving under the influence
Cocchi was arrested at the MGM Springfield casino
In his apology, Cocchi explained that “kindness, compassion and responsibility” are some of his fundamental values. He kept his comments to the media brief, apparently eager to return to work after his court appearance.
Although Cocchi initially pleaded not guilty, his attorney, Joseph Bernard, requested a plea change after Cocchi admitted there was enough evidence to convict. The sheriff will be on probation for a year, according to MassLive.
He has also lost his driver’s license for 45 days and must take a course on alcohol and drug use among drivers.
Cocchi’s arrest prompted a response from Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who responded to the unflattering incident.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno responded to Cocchi’s arrest by defending the sheriff, calling him a “good, good man.”
Cocchi appeared in court Monday and was charged with driving under the influence
He told Western Mass News: ‘First of all [Cocchi is] a good, good man and a very, very good leader, he has helped thousands of people. He has taken full responsibility for his actions and he will continue to help others.’
According to the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office website, Cocchi has been recognized for his contributions as sheriff, including a Distinguished Service Award and multiple Employee of the Month honors.
In 2017, he joined the department’s community engagement unit, including “directly addressing the opioid crisis.”
He also took initiatives to help the homeless and improve graduation rates in the community.
During the pandemic, Cocchi encouraged the department to tap York Street Industries, a company that provides financial support to government and community agencies and facilities, to produce protective equipment for first responders.
Cocchi has received several awards from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department for his community service efforts
He also founded a program called Freedom Pups, which teaches prisoners skills and responsibility by training dogs.
Cocchi has lived his entire life in Ludlow, a town in Hampden County. Given his seemingly healthy history, residents had a hard time processing the news of his arrest.
There were even people who defended him.
A Ludlow resident wrote on Facebook: “He is one of the best sheriffs this county has ever seen. He has done so many good things for the people of this community. It is so easy to pass judgement, we are human and make mistakes.
“Funny how most of the people who comment here are constantly drunk behind the wheel and don’t get caught.”
Others, however, felt his punishment was not severe enough.
One commentator said: ‘”The rules don’t apply to me” – that guy.’
Cocchi spoke briefly to the media outside court on Monday before saying he had to return to work
Others joined in the conversation and said, “Let him spend the night in his own system.”
It is not the first time that Cocchi has come into contact with the law because of alcohol abuse.
In 1996, he was suspended for drinking in a prison parking lot after a shift and before a mandatory training session.
The following year he was caught driving a police van to a strip club, but was not punished for this.
Specific details of Saturday’s incident have not yet been released. DailyMail.com has contacted the department for comment.