Aberdeen Officer Honored For Saving Life Of Teenage Girl

ABERDEEN, NJ — An Aberdeen police sergeant was honored last Wednesday for his role in saving the life of a local teenage girl who climbed onto the roof of an Aberdeen Industrial Park building this past spring.

On Friday, May 12 of this year, Aberdeen Township police responded to the Aberdeen Industrial Park on Church Street for a report of an emotionally distraught teenage girl who had climbed to the roof of a building approximately 40 feet up. Despite the efforts of responding officers and Matawan Regional High School counselors, the girl could not be persuaded to come down, Aberdeen Township said in a Facebook post about the rescue.

As the guidance counselors continued to talk to her, Sergeant Raymond Sosa made his way to the roof using an exterior staircase and ladder. Once on the roof, Sgt. Sosa attempted to engage the girl while maintaining a non-threatening posture. Meanwhile, the girl continued talking to the counselors and at one point she laid down at the edge of the roof. Sgt. Sosa quietly inched closer to her and then moved quickly to grab her ankles and move her away from the edge of the roof, police said.

He held her securely until a counselor and other officers were able to assist in bringing her downstairs to a waiting ambulance.

Sgt. Sosa was awarded the Aberdeen Township Police Department Merit Award last Wednesday, Aug. 16 for his actions.

Photos via Aberdeen Township.