Officer Who Saved Man From Attempted ‘Suicide By Cop’ Honored By Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden police officer who helped save a man who was attempting “suicide by cop” last month has been honored as the department’s Officer of the Month.

Officer John Guest was credited for his “bravery, restraint, and exceptional de-escalation skills with bringing a highly dangerous situation to a peaceful resolution,” according to police.

The incident happened around 1:40 p.m. on May 19 when officers responded to the Meriden Arms Motel on North Broad Street to find a 51-year-old man reported to be suicidal after posting concerning comments on Facebook, according to police.

Read more from the Meriden Police Department below:

Police learned he had an active warrant and was seen near the motel wearing distinctive clothing. Officers located the man hiding in wooded, steep terrain between properties on North Broad Street. When approached, he fled uphill and repeatedly warned officers to stay back, claiming he had a gun and would shoot them. At one point, he lifted his shirt, reached into his waistband, and appeared to point what officers believed could be a firearm.

Despite the dangerous conditions and perceived threat, Officer John Guest maintained communication with the man, who repeatedly stated that officers would have to kill him. After further observation, officers determined the object in his hands was actually a rock, leading them to believe he was attempting “suicide by cop.”

Officer Guest calmly built rapport with the man, learning about recent personal hardships including arrests, domestic issues, homelessness, and other setbacks. Through patient de-escalation, Guest convinced him to move to a safer location and surrender peacefully. The man later admitted he never had a firearm and had only pretended to be armed in hopes officers would shoot him.

The man was safely taken into custody, assisted down the hill by emergency personnel, and transported for mental health treatment. Sergeant Hartline credited Officer Guest’s bravery, restraint, and exceptional de-escalation skills with bringing a highly dangerous situation to a peaceful resolution, leading to Guest’s selection as Officer of the Month.