MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone issued a statement Friday in response to the body cam footage released from an incident at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County that resulted in the death of inmate Robert Brooks.

The statement from Quattrone said, “The Sheriffs of New York State are shocked, like any rational person is, by the actions of State Corrections Officers at Marcy Correctional Facility which led to the death of Robert Brooks, as revealed by body camera footage released today. No human being should be treated that way by another human being.”

Quattrone continued, “This situation is made even worse by the fact that the extreme cruelty was inflicted by those entrusted with the power of government, against those they were entrusted to guard and protect.”

Brooks was killed on Dec. 10 after being beaten by correctional officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility, a state prison in Oneida County, approximately 50 miles outside of Syracuse. Body cam footage was released Friday that depicted what New York Attorney General Letitia James described as “shocking and disturbing” acts by the officers involved.

According to the Associated Press, Governor Kathy Hochul directed the state’s corrections department to fire 14 workers involved in the incident.

Quattrone acknowledged that humanely managing incarcerated individuals is difficult due to many factors, including understaffing and restrictions on disciplinary measures.

Quattrone stated, “Corrections Officers are frustrated and exhausted. It is a difficult job that we ask these good public servants to do and do right. We are grateful for those Corrections Officers who do show up for work, and who perform their jobs professionally and treat all inmates safely, humanely and respectfully. We regret that the recent action of a few has unfairly tarnished the reputation of the vast majority of good officers who perform their jobs day and day out with integrity, courage, character and unconditional respect.”

Sheriffs of New York State called for administrators and corrections officers to “redouble their efforts” to assure that inmates are “respected as fellow human beings.”

Quattrone’s statement concluded by stating, “We expect the next few days to be difficult ones for everyone involved in corrections — on both sides. We ask that reason and calm prevail with everyone so that further tragedies may be avoided.”