masslive During production of the video, the department held its first Western Massachusetts County Correctional Officer Academy graduation ceremony during the pandemic. That event took place in the wake of protests, social unrest and calls for law enforcement reforms sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police officers in Minneapolis.
Cocchi said the video took on an even greater meaning when thinking about the pandemic and the protests. In his speech to graduates, Cocchi challenged the new officers to be aware of what is happening locally and around the nation and to continually strive to be the best example of law enforcement.
“We need to bring trust, we need to bring honor, and we need to bring humanity back to the core of how we serve our citizens. Whether you’re behind the fences or out in the community, I ask you to do what is best for the people we serve,” Cocchi said in his speech, an excerpt of which is included in the music video.
By Elizabeth Román | eroman@repub.com
LUDLOW — In an effort to highlight the work done by his staff during the coronavirus pandemic, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi put out a call for singers.
“This pandemic has pushed us to innovate and adapt under pressure, and the result has been positive results for everyone we serve. But the progress we’ve made wouldn’t be possible without buy-in from our amazing employees,” Cocchi said.
A fan of the song “Rise Up” by composer and performer Andra Day, Cocchi reached out to staff members Nicole St. Egan and Dan Cavanaugh to see if the song could be used in a video featuring members of the staff.
“Dan and I are his creative go-tos,” St. Egan said. “I’m a musician and Dan is a musician and former DJ. The sheriff had a vision. He loves the song and he wanted to highlight the good work of the department. I think he was hoping people from various departments who have musical prowess would come forward and showcase that we are not only a law enforcement family, but some of us are also musically inclined.”
The video starts off with St. Egan singing the first words of the song, and then several other employees can be seen or heard singing other parts. The video also includes images of some of the programs and services the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department staff offered during the height of the pandemic — from donating face shields and masks to area businesses to opening a recovery home for first responders.
“It was a real treat actually to share this unique experience with fellow co-workers. Some of them I knew and some of them I didn’t, but we really did enjoy the process and doing something positive and creative outside of our professional duties,” St. Egan said.
St. Egan worked with 12 employees who stepped forward to sing parts of the inspirational song, which is about not giving up regardless of the adversities and unforeseen circumstances in one’s life. All of the singing happened over two days and the editing was done over Zoom.
The music video was produced by East Longmeadow native Ben Caron, who now lives in the New York City area.
“I have a lot of friends in the musical community in the Pioneer Valley, and I asked them how they would feel about rolling a mobile recording studio inside of a jail during a pandemic, and everyone was willing. It was a unique experience,” St. Egan said.
Since its release online July 30, the video has generated more than 11,000 views thanks to online sharing and word of mouth.
Cocchi said the performances inspired him, and he hopes the video will inspire others.
“This video honors them and is a tribute to their work and the lives they change every day. I am proud to work alongside truly amazing people who have a desire to help, and to always push for self-improvement,” he said.
During production of the video, the department held its first Western Massachusetts County Correctional Officer Academy graduation ceremony during the pandemic. That event took place in the wake of protests, social unrest and calls for law enforcement reforms sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police officers in Minneapolis.
Cocchi said the video took on an even greater meaning when thinking about the pandemic and the protests. In his speech to graduates, Cocchi challenged the new officers to be aware of what is happening locally and around the nation and to continually strive to be the best example of law enforcement.
“We need to bring trust, we need to bring honor, and we need to bring humanity back to the core of how we serve our citizens. Whether you’re behind the fences or out in the community, I ask you to do what is best for the people we serve,” Cocchi said in his speech, an excerpt of which is included in the music video.
St. Egan said music is a way to bring people together during difficult times.
“I have been a musician most of my life and music is my personal catharsis,” she said. “I think people oftentimes sing when they are happy, they sing when they are oppressed, they sing when they need to emote. What is more powerful than song?”
She said many people who have seen the video have given her positive feedback.
“Some of my co-workers when we were editing actually started crying, and I have received quite a few text messages from friends who have seen it and said it moved them and brought them to tears. I don’t think anyone expected that, but our hope is that it lifts people up,” she said.
During production of the video, the department held its first Western Massachusetts County Correctional Officer Academy graduation ceremony during the pandemic. That event took place in the wake of protests, social unrest and calls for law enforcement reforms sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police officers in Minneapolis.
Cocchi said the video took on an even greater meaning when thinking about the pandemic and the protests. In his speech to graduates, Cocchi challenged the new officers to be aware of what is happening locally and around the nation and to continually strive to be the best example of law enforcement.
“We need to bring trust, we need to bring honor, and we need to bring humanity back to the core of how we serve our citizens. Whether you’re behind the fences or out in the community, I ask you to do what is best for the people we serve,” Cocchi said in his speech, an excerpt of which is included in the music video.
St. Egan said music is a way to bring people together during difficult times.
“I have been a musician most of my life and music is my personal catharsis,” she said. “I think people oftentimes sing when they are happy, they sing when they are oppressed, they sing when they need to emote. What is more powerful than song?”
She said many people who have seen the video have given her positive feedback.
“Some of my co-workers when we were editing actually started crying, and I have received quite a few text messages from friends who have seen it and said it moved them and brought them to tears. I don’t think anyone expected that, but our hope is that it lifts people up,” she said.