The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
EXCEPTIONAL DUTY
Officers receive medal for helping distraught man
TORRINGTON » Three Torrington police officers were recognized this week with the department’s Exceptional Duty medal, for coming to the aid of a man who was threatening to take his own life.
Officers Matthew Faulkner, Justin Tomlin, and James Dickey responded June 20 to a report of a man threatening to commit suicide with a .45 caliber handgun on High Street, according to Lt. Vincenzo Calabrese.
They found the man on the train tracks off Water Street, Calabrese said, sitting on the bridge, high above the river and rocks. The man told officers that he was suicidal, that he did not want help, and that he had a gun, Calabrese said.
The area was not well-lit and the man did not show his hands, according to Calabrese, which prevented the officers from determining whether he had a gun, but there was something in his left hand.
The three officers drew their weapons, Calabrese said, and spoke with the man, reassuring him that the situation would be resolved safely.
The man leaned over the bridge as the incident played out, Calabrese said, but the officers coaxed him back to safety. After 15 to 20 minutes, the officers were able to see that the object in his hand was a vaporizer, Calabrese said, and moved in to pull him away from the edge.
The man was handcuffed and taken to the hospital for evaluation.
“The three officers used a great deal of professionalism, composure and tact in dealing with an individual crisis,” said Calabrese. “All three officers took immediate action, disregarding their own comfort and safety, in order to secure the despondent individual.
“The officers you see here tonight acted with bravery, professionalism and restraint, after responding to a situation that could have ended with their using deadly force. Instead, they de-escalated the situation by taking their time and evaluating the actions of the suspect,” said
Chief Michael Maniago. “In the end, they were able to successfully bring the suspect under control with no one being injured.”
“The actions displayed in this incident by these officers make me proud, and should all of you proud also — knowing that our city has such fine and upstanding officers on patrol, protecting our citizens and selflessly putting the safety of others ahead of their own,” said Maniago. “Their own safety must, and should always, be recognized. These fine officers once again showed they are what is right about our profession, and what it takes to be a police officer in today’s society.”