New London Citizen, First Responders Save Suicidal Person's Life

NEW LONDON, CT—It was 5 in the morning. A suicidal person was on a Spring Street rooftop with material wrapped around their neck at one end and attached to a roof fixture on the other. Emergency services arrived though police say initial attempts to diffuse the situation were not working.

Then, emergency service personnel and a neighborhood resident were able to "distract" the person long enough for responders to "secure" the person who was transported to L+M for treatment.

Now, New London Police are honoring first responders for their "awesome work" in saving a life. But are specifically calling the neighborhood resident who intervened to help save the person's life a hero.

"Although all personnel on scene did a great job, the quick actions and commitment to service" by New London Police Lt. Matt Galante, Sgt. Joseph Pelchat, police officer Juan Cruz, Fire Department New London Lt. Timothy O’Reilly and firefighter Thomas Feliciano, it was a New London resident, who police said will soon be named, whose actions "were and are beyond commendable."

"We salute your commitment to New London and its citizens," police wrote on Facebook. "Thank you!"

Police reminded that "we all need assistance at some point in life. Don’t be afraid to seek it or offer it," and provided information about suicide prevention, a veteran's crisis hotline and the TREVOR Project LGBTQ Crisis Hotline.