Several Chatham-Kent police officers and emergency communications staff have been formally commended for their roles in saving a man who threatened to jump from the Lacroix Street bridge this summer.
Police were called to the bridge around 8 p.m. on July 1 after reports of a man standing on the railing and threatening to end his life. When officers arrived, they found the man hanging over the edge of the structure.
Constables Cole Brigley and Steve Gagnon, along with Sgt. Fraser Leontowicz and Acting Sgt. Chris Reynolds, began speaking with the man in an effort to calm him. While engaging him in conversation, Brigley and Gagnon positioned themselves to intervene if he fell.
Police say the man became overwhelmed and lost his grip on the railing during the encounter. Officers acted immediately, grabbing hold of him and pulling him to safety. He was taken to hospital for urgent care.
Emergency communications operators Brock Bechard, Camryn Dudley, McKenna Ladd and Victoria Labadie also played a key role by gathering and relaying critical information to responding officers, allowing for a swift and coordinated response.
The officers and ECOs received commendations on Nov. 12 for what the service described as quick thinking, compassion and a strong commitment to preserving life.
