Officer Robert Tonietto of the Cary Police Department at the annual PBA awards dinner. Photo by Tim Reichert.

Cary, NC – Last week, the Cary PBA held its annual awards dinner. Chapter President Randy Byrd has kindly forwarded the stories of five officers who were nominated for the George Almond “Officer of the Year” award. They provide a fascinating look at policing in Cary. The week, we have the story of Officer Robert Tonietto.

Officer Tonietto was nominated for his actions related to his handling of several cases involving mental health consumers.  In his nomination, his supervisor, Sgt. Keith Adams provided an overview of his work.   According to Sgt. Adams, “Four particular situations stand out in my mind as to why Officer Tonietto should be nominated for this award”.

CAN I HAVE MY PETS PUT DOWN?

The first situation involved an elderly lady who had visited a local veterinary hospital to have her pets put down.

The pets appeared to be healthy and the staff asked why that she wanted to put her animals down.  She said it was because she was going back home and take her own life, because of the pain she was suffering from.

The staff refused to put to put the animals down and the lady called back inquiring once again about the animals and stated once again that she was going to kill herself.   The staff then called the Cary Police Department.

Officers arrived on the scene to find a locked residence and the sound of dogs barking from inside. Contact was made with the lady who stated that she was planning to kill herself.  She refused to unlock the door.

Officer Tonietto arrived and established communications with her at the door.  He remained there while other options were considered.  Officer Tonietto continued to talk to her in a calm manner while gaining her trust.  The lady eventually allowed him to enter the residence to check on her dogs.

He was able to talk the lady into going with him for a mental health evaluation.  She agreed as long as she could go with him.

According to Sgt. Adams, “The length that Officer Tonietto went in garnering the lady’s trust and helping her in such a depressed state obviously saved her life that night.”

DOMESTIC SITUATION

A second situation involved a female who had been drinking alcohol and was being a threat to her and other family members.

Upon arrival Officer Tonietto was able to speak with her.  She would not allow EMS or Fire Personnel to come into the room with her and became irate at their presence.

Officer Tonietto was able to keep her calm and eventually talk her into going with him for a mental health evaluation.

A TROUBLED VETERAN

A third situation involved an intoxicated man who was outside his apartment when the police were called.

Upon their arrival officers discovered that he was very intoxicated and had just returned stateside from Iraq.   The man was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and had been self medicating himself with alcohol to cope since returning from overseas.

The man answered the door holding his military issued knife when Officers knocked and announced their presence.  Officer Tonietto was able to strike up a conversation with the victim and gain his trust.  He was able to talk him into putting his knife down while they talked.

Officer Tonietto continued to stay with him until he was not a danger to himself or others.  Sgt. Adam noted that his call demonstrated Officer Tonietto’s patience and commitment to his profession.

AN AUTISTIC CHILD

The final situation that highlighted Officer Tonietto’s abilities in this area involved a situation where he was working off duty at Cary Towne center.  Mall Security was notified that a four year old autistic child was missing from her mother and lost in the mall.

During this incident Officer Tonietto made contact with the mother who was extremely upset and took measures to calm her.   He then located the child with one of the security officers.

The Assistant Director of Security for the Cary Towne Center noted in an email to the agency that Officer Tonietto took control of the situation. He made contact with the mother (who was extremely upset) and calmed her down.  He then located the child with one of the Security Officers down by our carousel area within minutes of the call coming in.

The most touching part of this scenario was Officer’s Tonietto’s interaction with the autistic child, according to the mall email. It stated that Officer Tonietto displayed professionalism and sensitivity while he was communicating with the child.  Mall Security Officers stated that the child felt comforted by Officer Tonietto’s presence and actually smiled when he told her that he was taking her to see her mother.

OFFICER TONIETTO’S BIO

Robert or Rocco as he is known by his fellow officers and friends is originally from the Long Island area of New York and graduated from Connetquot High School in 1993.

He later attended Suffolk Community college taking criminal justice classes.  He started his law enforcement career with the Durham County Sheriff’s department in 2004, before coming to work with the Cary Police department in 2006.  In 2009, he was named the Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year for the agency.

Robert is currently assigned to the Field Operations division where he works as a patrol officer.

NEXT WEEK

Next week, the story of Corporal Jeff Huser.