Mariemont council removes probation for new officer and presents Medal of Valor to officer

The Village of Mariemont council voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to remove Officer Trent Mucci from probationary status and make him a regular patrol employee, and presented a departmental Medal of Valor to Officer Cooley for actions that department leaders said likely saved a resident’s life.

Police Chief Richard Hines told council Officer Mucci was hired on Dec. 8, 2024, and has 17 years of law‑enforcement experience including 10 years with the Cincinnati Police Department and prior service with local agencies. Hines said he had received “numerous emails, notes, and verbal comments commending Officer Mucci for going above and beyond” and recommended that the council remove him from probationary employee status. Council moved, seconded and recorded unanimous “Aye” votes to approve the personnel action.

Chief Hines also read the department’s account of an Aug. 14, 2025 incident in which Officer Cooley found a disoriented, bleeding person at a residence on Mariemont Avenue. According to the chief, Officer Cooley applied direct pressure to a severe arm wound, summoned paramedics and stabilized the person until emergency medical personnel arrived; Mariemont Fire Department personnel told the chief that without the officer’s immediate response the person “would have likely perished.” The chief presented the department’s Medal of Valor, signed by Richard D. Hines, Assistant Chief Pittsley and Mayor Bill Brown. Officer Cooley said, “Thank you for this honor. I just happen to be in the right place at the right time.”

The personnel vote and the award were the only agenda items related to police personnel at the meeting. Council members congratulated the officers after the votes and recessed briefly for photos.

What happens next: Officer Mucci’s status change is effective immediately as recorded in the meeting; the Medal of Valor is an internal departmental honor described by the chief as the police department’s highest award.