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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Wounded Officers Participate in Graduation Ceremony


On Friday December 4th, the Public Safety Training Facility’s Police Academy graduated their 51st recruit class. The class of 50 recruits consists of members of the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Missing from the graduation ceremonies was one of their class counselors, Officer Dan Brochu. Class counselors are an integral part the recruits training while at the academy.

Officer Brochu and Officer Luca Martini were both shot on Tuesday December 1st, while responding to a 911 call for a home invasion. Brochu suffered broken bones in his leg from a gunshot wound while Martini sustained several broken bones after being struck in the arm, hand and chest. His ballistic vest saved his life when it stopped a bullet that struck him in the chest. 

Both officers were sharing a room at Strong Hospital during their recovery. Since Officer Brochu wasn’t able to attend graduation at Monroe Community College, MCC brought the ceremony to him. Law Enforcement Program Coordinators Russ Coriddi and Pete Burnett were able to set up a live streaming webcast from MCC provided by Steve Weider and Jeremy Case from Instructional Technologies.  Video Specialist Daren Hammond recorded video messages from both officers to air during graduation. Video Specialist John Frontuto set up the equipment and established a link in the officer’s hospital room at Strong. The U of R provided a large screen monitor and staff to make sure things ran smoothly. 

Both officers’ messages were played for the graduates with Officer Martini emphasizing the importance of wearing your vest and Officer Brochu stating, “It’s been the most fulfilling experience of my life to be your class counselor”. Brochu and Martini were able to view the live ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Thanks goes out to all staff and officers involved behind the scenes in pulling off this truly moving event.

Hospital room

John Frontuto
Public Safety Training Facility
12/11/2009