After 40 years of service, Duquesne sergeant retires

A police sergeant standing beside a decorated cake, celebrating an occasion. The cake features floral designs and a badge emblem with the sergeant's name, Frank Cortazzo, on it. — [Courtesy of Duquesne University] Former Sgt. Frank Cortazzo at a retirement party on Friday.

Nataley Davis | staff writer

Frank Cortazzo has held many titles throughout his life, from substitute teacher to police sergeant on a college campus to a 67-year-old master’s degree candidate.

On Friday, he retired from Duquesne after serving students in public safety for 40 years.

Cortazzo was working as a police officer in Wilmerding and using his teaching degree to substitute at different schools when he got the opportunity to join Duquesne’s police force in 1986.

He said that once he got on campus, the rest was history.

“I kind of gave up everything else,” he said. “I didn’t substitute teach anymore, I didn’t work part time in the police department — I pretty much dedicated my career to Duquesne University.”

Cortazzo eventually climbed the ranks to become a sergeant and was dubbed “Sarge” by students, he said.

Duquesne Police Chief Eric Holmes said that Cortazzo’s love for students and the university is what stands out most about him.

“You’d see him on campus, walking around, talking to the students, talking to folks who were visiting campus, talking to faculty and staff,” Holmes said. “At graduation, students would give him a fist pump or shake his hand or give him a hug ’cause they really knew him … their whole four-plus years here.”

A police officer smiles while handing a badge to a young person seated at a table surrounded by others, all engaged in a community event. — [Courtesy of Duquesne University] Former Sgt. Frank Cortazzo at a Saint Anthony School Program event in December 2024. He hopes to work with the group more throughout his retirement.

Along with countless joyful memories with the community, Cortazzo reflected on a time where Duquesne came together after tragedy as one of his proudest moments on campus.

In 2006, a gunman shot five Duquesne basketball players outside of Duquesne Towers.

Cortazzo said that thankfully there were no fatalities and the community banded together in a way that he had never witnessed before.

“Every department, every school, every person just supported the few basketball players that were involved, and all the other students that were involved in the incident,” Cortazzo said.  ”It was hard to find a community that could do what Duquesne University did. I was always appreciative of the support that we got when we had tough times.”

Throughout his extensive career, Cortazzo said that his passion for education never wavered. A few years ago while he was planning his retirement from police work to return to teaching, he realized he was lacking the service hours needed to teach due to Pennsylvania law.

Cortazzo took action by pursuing a master’s degree in education administration at Duquesne, and eventually graduated in May.

When he first approached Franny Jo Serenka, director of the school of education, about enrolling in the program, she was enthusiastic about having someone with his experience in class.

Serenka said that Cortazzo brought a perspective to the other students that no one else could have given them.

“When we would talk about how to keep our students safe in communities and in spaces, Sgt. Cortazzo was able to really expand upon those conversations,” she said. “Students were happy to hear it, and they were also really excited that he was their classmate, and continuing on in his education when some of them were just starting in their master’s degrees … it was a good example for them, that you never stop learning.”

A smiling male graduate in a blue cap and gown walks across a graduation ceremony, holding a diploma in hand. In the background, faculty and attendees are seated, with some capturing the moment on their phones. — [Courtesy of Duquesne University] Former Sgt. Frank Cortazzo at graduation in May after completing a master’s degree in education administration.

Cortazzo may be retired from Duquesne, but he has grand plans to keep working with students and advocating for education.

He said he is interested in getting more involved with Saint Anthony School Programs, which provides inclusive education to students with Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs, according to their website. He volunteered with the group during his time at Duquesne.

“I don’t know if I could go into a public school and help a fourth grader with this math, but I know I can help kids with life skills,” Cortazzo said.

He is also an elected official on the South Allegheny School Board and hopes to speak positively on behalf of education in front of government agencies during retirement.

Serenka said that although Duquesne will feel Cortazzo’s absence, he has made an impact that will be carried on with the people he interacted with.

“You are supposed to build capacity, build capacity for when you are no longer there, or when you step away into another position. I believe that our police force here at Duquesne learned so much from Frank Cortazzo that the officers that remain will literally pick up where he left off and continue to build capacity,” she said. “He was awesome for 40 years. Somebody else will step up to be awesome for 40 years by the example that Frank Cortazzo left.”

Nataley Davis can be reached at davisn5@duq.edu