Rocco was pure Buffalo, through and through. Born and raised in the city, he joined the police department at age 18. As a police officer, Rocco was equally at ease arresting criminals and playing basketball with neighborhood youth. He was part of the special patrol that cleaned up a notorious neighborhood in the city, then was tasked with reinvigorating the area’s Police Athletic League.  

Rocco retired after 20 years with BPD and founded a security company in a basement office. That company, RJD Security, quickly grew to 900 employees and 130 clients, including the New York Yankees, the Metropolitan Opera, and the PGA. But policing remained in Rocco’s blood, and in 1994, he was coaxed out of retirement to become deputy commissioner in Buffalo. Four years later, he succeeded Gil Kerlikowske as commissioner, a position he held for seven years. 

It was a challenging time for Buffalo. Crime was increasing, and the city was in dire financial straits. But under Rocco’s leadership, the BPD was able to reduce crime while cutting costs.  He did so by centralizing police districts, embracing new ideas and new technology, and instituting one-person patrols. You can only imagine what it must have taken to make that change in such a strongly unionized department as Buffalo.  

As good a police executive as Rocco was, I mostly remember him as being irrepressibly happy and engaging. You could always spot Rocco a mile away. His smile—it would catch your eye and say, “Hey buddy, how are you? Long time, no see.” And that name: Rocco. When he was born, his parents must have known he was something special, and Rocco just seemed to fit him.  

Rocco and I were both marathon runners back in the day, but as the years went by, we both became avid walkers—early morning walkers. On my walks before meetings of PERF or IACP or Major Cities Chiefs, I would invariably bump into Rocco, who was just as charming at 6 a.m. as he was at any other time of the day. Rocco was known for hosting dinners for an assortment of chiefs. These “Rocco Dinners” became famous. Rocco would go around the room, almost like the emcee at a roast, and tease each person he introduced. Rocco was in his element.  

One time Rocco invited me to speak at the local police foundation in Buffalo, where of course, the Bills reign supreme. Knowing my football allegiance, Rocco made sure to introduce me as a lifelong Patriots fan. He then stepped back, with that wonderful grin, to see both my reaction and the reaction of his audience to this interloper in enemy territory. The man always enjoyed a good laugh. Everyone who met Rocco remembered him. His charm was infectious; his humor, priceless. 

When Rocco became deputy commissioner, some criticized him for not having a college degree. So he went out and earned a degree in criminal justice. He was also a graduate of both PERF’s Senior Management Institute of Police and the FBI National Executive Institute.  

Rocco followed policing closely, and he was very engaged with PERF. Years ago, when some people were taking PERF to the woodshed over our work, Rocco stood up for PERF. He said he valued the principled stands we took and knew our policies and training could make a difference in policing. During challenging times, it was comforting to have Rocco Diina on your side. 

Rocco, we will miss your intellect, your camaraderie, your humor. And, of course, that winning smile. 

Best, 

Chuck