Double Amputee From Wantagh To Graduate From Suffolk County Police Academy

Suffolk County Police recently announced that Matias Ferreira, a double amputee, will be graduating from the department's academy on this week.

Officer Ferreira is believed to be the first fully active duty double amputee police officer in the nation.

In addition to passing all the rigorous challenges of the SCPD's 29-week academy training, the 28-year-old Wantagh resident was elected by his peers as his class president.

He will be the class speaker during the graduation ceremony on Friday starting at 11 a.m. at the Field House at the Health, Sports and Education Center at Suffolk County Community College-Grant Campus, located at 502 Wicks Road in Brentwood.

Ferreira lost both legs below the knees after stepping on an improvised explosive device during a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the United States Marines in 2011.

He was born in Uruguay and moved to the United States when he was six-years-old. He grew up in Atlanta before joining the Marines.

Following the amputation of his legs, Ferreira played on an all-amputee softball team that traveled the country playing against teams comprised of amputee military veterans and law enforcement personnel.

It was while he was traveling as part of that team, that he met his wife, Tiffany, in 2012.

The two live with their 2-year-old daughter Tianna.