Court documents detail moments leading to Hampden County Sheriff’s arrest

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - We’re getting a better look at what happened the night that Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi was arrested for drunk driving. Court documents obtained by Western Mass News provide new details into what led up to the arrest.

“I take full responsibility for what happened this past Saturday,” said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi.

Cocchi’s comments about Saturday bring us to West Springfield. In the police report, it detailed that Cocchi left Springfield Country Club in his state-issued white Ford Explorer and made his way to MGM Springfield just miles away. Shortly after 7 p.m., the sheriff was at the casino and his damaged vehicle was found with the engine running in the valet area of the parking garage. Cocchi wasn’t there, but Mass. State Police with the Gaming Enforcement Unit was. They said the car was “missing its right front tire and had extensive damage to the wheel rim.”

Minutes later, Cocchireturned from inside the casino and the responding state trooper stated “his speech was slurred, and I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath and person. I also noted his eyes to be bloodshot and glassy...I noted him stumble several times on the video walking into the casino.”

The sheriff said the car’s tire was popped near the casino, but denied he was the one behind the wheel. It wasn’t until later he told the truth. He also admitted to “playing golf and having consumed a couple of beers.”

The key is that his admission didn’t come from a machine. Throughout the night, police askedCocchito perform several field sobriety tests. He declined and his license was temporarily suspended for six months because of his refusal. The suspension was just one component of the consequences. The sheriff was arrested, booked, and processed like many of the people he’s put behind bars. It’s a job that he’s now ready to get back to after his day in court Monday where his case was continued without finding.

“I hate to give a comment and run, but unfortunately, I have to get back to work,” Cocchi added.