Rochester police officer Jeremy Nash is resting and recovering at Rochester General Hospital from a gunshot wound to his face, and he is reportedly in good spirits.
Mike Mazzeo, president of the Rochester Police Locust Club, says the 11-year RPD veteran has been concerned about his fellow officers and their families, whose stress levels soar when one of their own is injured in the line of duty.
"Jeremy is a very humble individual and he is almost embarrassed by all the media attention to him, which speaks to his character," Mazzeo said. "Just this morning he was asking 'is everyone getting enough rest, is everyone okay out there?' It speaks to his character and his commitment to everyone he works with."
Mazzeo would not elaborate on the extent of Officer Nash's injuries, citing the ongoing investigation, which has not yet resulted in the arrest of any suspects.
Officer Nash and his partner had responded to a call on an unrelated matter on North Street late Saturday night when he was shot. Nash said in a recorded police radio call that he wasn't sure what happened, but assumed he had been shot because he felt like he had been hit in the head with a sledge hammer. Mazzeo said he's so grateful the injuries weren't life threatening.
"But also it brings home the reality of the dangers that are out there more than ever; the levels of violence that we're seeing, the amount of guns we're that are out on the street. The world is just changing and becoming more complex and difficult to deal with."
While Mazzeo said while many of Officer Nash's "brothers and sisters" (fellow officers) were visiting him in the hospital, they're trying to limit those visits so Nash can get the rest he needs to fully recover.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call Crimestoppers or 9-1-1.
