Latest news with #HampdenCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Flame of Hope' to stop in Hampden County ahead of Special Olympics summer games
LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) – The 'Flame of Hope' is making its way across Massachusetts this week as part of the Special Olympics Massachusetts Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Statewide Final Leg, with a special stop at the Hampden County Sheriff's Office. From Monday to Friday, law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes are carrying the symbolic torch throughout the Commonwealth to raise awareness and build excitement for the 2025 Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games, taking place June 6-8 at Harvard University. Springfield Police Department marks fifth anniversary of body-worn camera program Now in its third year, the Statewide Final Leg honors athletes from across Massachusetts and recognizes the law enforcement officers who support them. Known as the 'Guardians of the Flame,' officers participating in the run represent their counties and help carry the Special Olympics torch to the Summer Games' opening ceremonies. 'Supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics is more than a tradition for us—it's a privilege and a promise,' said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. 'It's a promise to stand behind these incredible athletes and to champion a more inclusive and compassionate community. We're proud to carry the Flame of Hope and to show our commitment not just in words, but in action.' Employees of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office will gather outside the facility on Wednesday morning to welcome the Final Leg Team and show their support for the athletes and the values of inclusion and community that the Special Olympics represents. This year's Final Leg team includes 13 participants–10 from law enforcement agencies across the state and three Special Olympics athletes. Among them are two members of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office: Cheri Burton, Hampden County Sheriff's Office Dana Delorenzo, Transit Police Patrick Dooney, Hampden County Sheriff's Office Larry Jedrey, Everett Police Dianne Kirkpatrick, UMass Boston Police Chris Liacos, Gloucester Police Trista Manchuso, Maynard Police Ryan Maxfield, Brandeis University Police Allison McCann, Maynard Police The team also includes these Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes: Dee Cotter, LIFE Cape Cod Anne DeForge, Springfield Ben Regazzo, Mansfield The LETR Final Leg serves as the culmination of year-long Special Olympics events and symbolizes the unified spirit of inclusion, teamwork, and community that defines the Games. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hampden County Sheriff's Office celebrates graduates of re-entry program
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Hampden County Sheriff's Office continues to work on its re-entry programs for those who have been released after a period of time in prison. The Sheriff's Office partnered with Emerge Careers to help those transitioning out of the house of corrections and into the community with a lifelong career. Individuals in the program are working towards obtaining their Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to become truck drivers. Driver crashes into JFK Memorial in Holyoke, police seek charges They said during their partnership, hundreds have applied for the program, 28 have received their permits, and six have earned their full license. On Monday, the Sheriff's Department celebrated two graduates. One of them, Idelberto Soto, said he is proud of himself, but said he couldn't have done it alone. 'They really help you, but you've got to be committed to get done your part too,' Soto said. 'They're really good people. They're always taking care of you, they're always motivating you to get your steps done. They're always there no matter what.' Sheriff Nick Cocchi and other speakers highlighted the importance of truck drivers for every community across the country, saying the individuals part of the program are not only working towards a job, but a career. They now have the opportunity for a second chance, making an impact in their community. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hampden County Sheriff's Office alerts residents of new scheme call surge
HAMPDEN, Mass. (WWLP) – The Hampden County Sheriff's Office has sent out an urgent warning as they say they're seeing an 'unprecedented' amount of calls claiming to come from their office. Wrongful death case against Hampden County Sheriff's Office reach settlement The Hampden County Sheriff's Office states that they've never seen activity at this level. It was reported that a woman was schemed out of thousands of dollars through bitcoin on Thursday. She crossed multiple towns to deposit the money in the bitcoin machine. This serves as a reminder that no one from the sheriff's office will ever call you to ask for money. It's difficult to track or get money back from these schemers, so the public must stay vigilant. It is also important to remember that Caller ID can be fraudulent, so even if it reads 'Sheriff's Office,' that may not be the true identity of the caller. Residents can verify by calling the Hampden County Sheriff's Office directly. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Caller impersonates Hampden County Deputy in latest phone scheme
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Hampden County Sheriff's Office is warning the public of another reported phone scheme, in which a caller impersonated a Hampden County Deputy and demanded thousands of dollars from residents under false pretenses. Multiple fraud attempts have been reported to the Sheriff's Office in the past week. In this most recent scheme, an individual has impersonated a deputy and told targeted individuals that they are facing some type of legal issue, such as missing a court appearance or failing to comply with a subpoena. Hampden County Sheriff's Office warns of new jury duty scheme The Hampden County Sheriff's Office said that the impersonator then instructed victims to bring approximately $5,000 in cash to the Sheriff's Civil Process Office at 95 Liberty Street in Springfield. By doing so, the impersonator claims that the victim would help them avoid arrest and 'clear the matter up.' Sheriff Nick Cocchi is reminding residents that under no circumstances will a deputy call and demand payment, especially not in cash or at the civil process office. 'This is at least the third version of a scam we've seen this week alone,' Sheriff Cocchi said. 'It's aggressive, it's deceitful, and it's designed to make people panic. These scammers are deliberately using the Sheriff's name and real office locations to make their scheme more convincing—but it's 100% fake. If someone calls and demands money from you in the name of law enforcement, hang up and call your local police department immediately.' Residents should keep in mind that law enforcement agencies will never threaten arrest over the phone or instruct anyone to bring cash to a facility. It is also important to remember that Caller ID can be fraudulent, so even if it reads 'Sheriff's Office,' that may not be the true identity of the caller. Residents can verify by calling the Hampden County Sheriff's Office directly. If you receive this fraudulent call or one similar, do not follow the instructions or provide any information. Simply hang up and report the occurrence to your local law enforcement agency. These schemes often target older adults and vulnerable individuals, so the Sheriff's Office is encouraging residents to do their part in spreading awareness and protecting all members of the community. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hampden County Sheriffs Office launches ‘Life Jacket Loaner Program' to prevent tragedies in our region's waterways
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) – As the search continues for a missing canoeist on the Connecticut River near Holyoke, the Hampden County Sheriff's Office launched a new program to prevent further tragedies. The sheriff's office launched a new 'Life Jacket Loaner' program. It aims to provide life jackets for those who may not have them readily available while out on the water. As we gear up for summer activities on the water, the Hampden County Sheriff's Office is making sure people keep safety top of mind. Whether you're on a boat or a jet ski, accidents can happen, and we've seen this recently. Sheriff Nick Cocchi says a couple went canoeing in the Connecticut River without the use of a life preserver. 'The individual who went in just the other day was not a good swimmer. The person who survived was We don't want to put that at risk,' said Sheriff Cocchi. That's when the Sheriff's Office started the Life Jacket Loaner Program. With the help of a nearly $5,000 grant from the Sea Tow Foundation, the program is putting life preservers in areas where people can borrow and return them for free. Wearing a life jacket can help save your life and help bring everyone home after a fun day in the water by preventing drowning. 'Frankly, the temperature of the water. The power of the current is not conducive to even a good swimmer getting themselves to shore,' said Sheriff Cocchi. A life jacket loaner station was installed at Brunelle's Marina in South Hadley, an area known to have boaters. It will be managed by the HCSO Marine Patrol Unit, trained in marine operations and emergency response. 'If something did happen while you're in there, there's some kind of sounding device. Some are bright in color, as you see the ones over on the side here, they're yellow. You could see that we know someone's in the water. It's very easy to be spotted and they'll keep you above the water the best they can,' said Captain of Lady Bea at Brunelle's Marina, Jamie Brunelle. The goal is to get people to stay buoyant long enough until first responders arrive. The sheriff's office will be monitoring the inventory and holding people accountable for returning the life preservers. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
