Massachusetts sheriff issues groveling apology after being arrested at a casino

An admired Massachusetts sheriff has apologized to his community, begging for forgiveness after he was caught breaking the same laws he promised to uphold.

Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi was arrested at the MGM Springfield casino on Saturday. He faced a judge on Monday and was charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol .

Outside the courthouse, 22News reported that the sheriff of eight years emphasized the fact that his actions were wrong.

He said: 'I'm sorry for not living up to the high standards I've set for myself, my staff, and the justice-involved population. I take full responsibility for what happened this past 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 daily.'

In his apology, Cocchi explained that 'kindness, compassion and accountability' are some of his fundamental values. He kept his comments to the media brief, as he was apparently eager to get back to work after his court appearance.

Although Cocchi had initially pled not guilty, his attorney, Joseph Bernard, requested a plea change as Cocchi admitted there was sufficient evidence to convict. The sheriff will be on probation for a year, according to MassLive .

He also lost his driver's license for 45 days and has to complete a driver alcohol education program.

Cocchi's arrest evoked a reaction from Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who issued a response to the unflattering incident.

He told Western Mass News : 'First of all [Cocchi is] a good, good man and a very, very good leader he has helped out thousands of individuals. He has taken full responsibility for his actions and he will continue to move on to help others.'

Cocchi has been recognized for his contributions as a sheriff, earning a Distinguished Service Award and being dubbed 'Employee of the Month' several times, according to the Hampden County Sheriff's Office's website.

In 2017, he made expansive efforts to the department's community engagement section such as 'tackling the opioid crisis head-on.'

He also set initiatives to help the homeless and improve graduation rates in the community.

During the pandemic, Cocchi encouraged the department to use its use its York Street Industries - which makes good for government and community agencies and facilities - to produce protective equipment for first responders.

He also founded a program called Freedom Pups, which teaches inmates skills and responsibility by training dogs.

Cocchi has lived in Ludlow - which is a town in Hampden County - all his life. Given his seemingly wholesome history, residents had a tough time swallowing the news of his arrest.

Some people even came to his defense.

One Ludlow resident wrote on Facebook: 'He is one of the best sheriff's this county has ever seen. He has done so many good things for the people of this community. It's so easy to pass judgement, we are human and make mistakes.

'Funny how most of the people who comment here are the ones who drive drunk continuously and don't get caught.'

But others thought his punishment was not nearly severe enough.

One commenter said: '"The rules don't apply to me" - that guy.'

Others chimed in, saying 'Let him spend the night in his own system.'

This is not Cocchi's first alcohol-related run-in with the law.

In 1996, he was suspended for drinking in a jail parking lot after a shift and before a mandated training session.

The next year, he was caught taking a department van to a strip club - but he was not punished for this.

The specific details of Saturday's incident have not been released yet. DailyMail.com has reached out to the department for comment.