Cocoa Police Recognizes Sgt. Mark Rush, CO Megan Carrothers and VCOP Carlo Mastropaolo

By  //  September 25, 2017

CPD EMPLOYEES OF 2017 SECOND QUARTER

Sgt. Mark Rush makes it a point to back up his officers and continually checks on their well-being throughout the shift. His motivation and dedication is an inspiration to his fellow officers. Cpl. Rush consistently goes above and beyond each shift and even on his own personal time. (CPD image)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – The Cocoa Police Department honored Sgt. Mark Rush, Communications Officer Megan Carrothers and VCOP Carlo Mastropaolo as its employees of the second quarter of 2017.

Officer of 2017 second Quarter: Sgt. Mark Rush

Cpl. Rush makes it a point to back up his officers and continually checks on their well-being throughout the shift. His motivation and dedication is an inspiration to his fellow officers and consistently goes above and beyond each shift and even on his own personal time.

Recently, Cocoa Communications contacted Cpl. Rush in reference to an emergency call they had received from a female who was threatening suicide. The female stated that she wanted to hurt herself and that she only wanted to speak with Cpl. Rush. Cocoa Communication contacted Cpl. Rush who had been off-duty at the time and advised him of the situation and were able to supply him with a call back number for the woman.

Cpl. Rush contacted her by phone and learned of her location. He told her to stay where she was and that he would send help and was able to get officers to the woman’s location and get her the medical attention she needed. Cpl. Rush exemplifies the highest ideals of the Cocoa Police Department and for these reasons he was awarded Officer of the 2nd Quarter.

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Cocoa Police Department Communications Officer Megan Carrothers. (CPD image)

Employee of 2017 second Quarter: Communications Officer Megan Carrothers 

On July 2, Communications Officer Megan Carrothers took a call from a male out of Kentucky wanting a wellbeing check on a family member.

CO Carrothers gathered all the needed information and an officer was sent to the residence. The family friend made contact back with the police department to follow up. CO Carrothers explained to the caller that the officer had checked the residence, made contact with the neighbors but was unable to locate the subject in question.

When the caller started to explain further as to why he was worried, CO Carrothers contacted the on duty Corporal to see if there was anything else that could be done. After speaking with the corporal and the original callers, CO Carrothers continued to try to provide assistance to the caller.

CO Carrothers continued to work to get assistance for the caller who was going to drive down from Kentucky to gain access to the residence. Contact was made with the on duty lieutenant who requested that the area hospitals be contacted to see if the subject was a patient there.

After it was determined that he was not in the hospital, the lieutenant, along with other officers from the shift, were able to gain access to the residence where the person in question was found to have passed away. Even with the high volume of calls that day CO Carrothers continued to work to get the caller assistance and made sure that the person inside the residence was not forgotten.

VCOP Carlo Mastropaolo has been with the program over 18 years. (CPD image)

VCOP of 2017 second Quarter: Carlo Mastropaolo

VCOP Carlo Mastropaolo has been with the program more than 18 years.

Mastropaolo currently handles fingerprinting in the lobby on Tuesdays each week. He assists in other programs and special assignments as needed. He is a valued member of the VCOP Program.

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