Rye PD Save Life Of Suicidal Man Armed With Boxcutter & Screwdriver

RYE, NY — Rye Police have released details of a tense incident at the Rye Train Station, in which officers fought to save the life of a man who officials said was intent on hurting himself.

By all accounts, the officers involved put their own lives on the line to save a man who had given up hope.

The City of Rye posted a notice Wednesday afternoon from Rye Safety Commissioner Michael Kopy, reporting a troubling incident that took place earlier this month.

On Feb. 3, around 3 p.m., the Rye Police Department received a report of a possibly suicidal man on the train tracks by the Rye train station. Officers Jesse Calcagni, Stefano Silvestri, Christopher Salguero, Joao Anjo, Gary Strebel, Alexander Whalen and Will Draper, along with Sergeants Kevin Pallone and Lansing Hinrichs quickly responded to the scene.

The officers found a man armed with a box cutter and a screwdriver.

After he failed to comply with repeated requests by the officers to drop the weapons, one of the officers attempted to subdue the man by deploying TASER. Unfortunately, the measure was ineffective. The suicidal man, who had cut his wrist and neck with the knife, was then taken to the ground, secured by the officers, and provided first aid until medical personnel arrived and took him to the hospital.

"The Rye Police Department wishes to recognize the quick response and lifesaving efforts of these officers who risked their personal safety by both proceeding on the train tracks prior to a stoppage of the trains, as well as for physically securing an armed subject before he could cause more harm to himself," Kopy said in the statement released on Wednesday.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, if you or someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

• Do not leave the person alone.
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.