Riverfront Park is the place to be this Friday for the 4th of July, and thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Hampden County Sheriff's Office 54th Western Massachusetts Academy Recruits it will be in tip top shape and ready for families to enjoy a clean and safe evening of “patriotism and pyrotechnics” during this year’s Star Spangled Springfield 4th of July Fireworks Celebration.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi and Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management Director Tom Ashe joined with Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt and Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi on Thursday morning at the Riverfront to thank the Correctional Officer Recruits for their service to our city.
The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office 54th Western Massachusetts Academy Recruits rolled up their sleeves for a day of community service and beautification along the Connecticut River in downtown Springfield. The team will be picking up litter, pulling weeds, and helping spruce up Riverfront Park and the surrounding area.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Sheriff Nick Cocchi and his team for once again stepping up for our residents and the community. Promoting community service values is so important and has ripple effects throughout the community, encouraging all to take pride and responsibility in our city and public spaces. We deeply appreciate the Correctional Officer Recruits from the 54th Western Massachusetts Academy for helping to beautify our Riverfront area ahead of it’s busiest day of the year: 4th of July. I cannot thank Sheriff Cocchi and team enough for their continued commitment and dedication to our beloved Springfield. We hope to see you all on Friday for family fun and celebrations!”
Every Correctional Officer Academy conducted by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office includes a community service project. Previous classes have cleaned up alleys and vacant lots in downtown Holyoke, trimmed overgrown areas and cleared debris in Chester and Blandford, and beautified walkways and public spaces in Brimfield and Wales. These efforts are part of the Sheriff’s broader goal to have recruits give back to each of the 23 cities and towns that make up Hampden County.
“Community service is a core value of our agency, and it starts from day one of the academy,” said Sheriff Nick Cocchi. “Having our recruits contribute to the beautification of Riverfront Park ahead of such a major community event shows their commitment to public service and gives them a real sense of purpose. We’re proud to partner with the City and the Spirit of Springfield to make sure the area looks its best for the thousands of people who will gather here to celebrate Independence Day.”
“We are very proud of our beautiful city-wide parks system and our Department works diligently to take care of it. However, it truly takes a team effort in keeping our community clean and safe and none of us can do it alone. We are grateful for this collaboration and to all who continue to step and make our parks the best they can be,” stated Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management Director Tom Ashe.
Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt stated, “Sheriff Nick Cocchi and the Hampden County Sherriff’s Department’s commitment to community service is unrelenting. They support the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, the City of Bright Nights Ball, Bright Nights at Forest Park, and so many other Spirit of Springfield events. Today, they are adding Star Spangled Springfield to the long list. They are always at the ready to respond and deliver.”
The Western Mass. County Correctional Officer Academy is a regional training program based out of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, preparing future officers for careers in public safety across Western Massachusetts. This academy class will graduate on Friday, July 18 at 8:30 a.m. at the Rivers Memorial Hall on the campus of Western New England University.
Star Spangled Springfield celebrates Independence Day with family-friendly entertainment and a dazzling fireworks display with festivities held in Riverfront Park from 6pm to 10pm on Friday, July 4, 2025.
