2 Stamford Police Officers Honored For Lifesaving Efforts

STAMFORD, CT — Two Stamford police officers received awards this week for their heroic and lifesaving efforts at the Stamford Mall late last month.

Officers Ernest Leslie III and Joseph Zoppi were recognized by the Stamford Police Commission on Monday night with Commissioner Awards.

According to police, officers were called to the Stamford Mall on May 28 shortly before noon on a report of a man standing on a ledge about to jump from the ninth floor.

Without hesitation, Zoppi approached and grabbed the man by his right hand and tried to guide him back over the ledge, Assistant Stamford Police Chief Richard Conklin told Patch.

The man's body went limp, and Leslie assisted Zoppi in bringing the man to safety, police said.

"Our emergency dispatch did a very good job getting the information out, and the officers responded very rapidly," Conklin said. "Their efforts definitely prevented a death in this situation."

Conklin said the man was taken to the hospital for treatment and evaluation.