Two deputies given Life Saving Award for helping woman on bridge

Two Lorain County sheriff's deputies have received the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association Life Saving Award for helping talk a suicidal woman down from the Garfield Bridge in Sheffield Township last month. Deputies Bryan Plemons and Matthew Pozega accepted the award from Sheriff Phil Stammitti at a ceremony at the sheriff's office on Thursday. Stammitti commended his deputies for doing a tough job, talking the woman off a ledge on the outside of the guardrail on the bridge where they were called shortly after 9 p.m. June 22. The riverbed was 90 feet below the woman, who was not named but was described as being in her late teens suffering a mental health crisis, according to the award citation. Lorain County Metro Parks and other officers helped close the bridge and divert traffic away, while Plemons spoke to the woman and Pozega moved to get close without scaring her. Both deputies took a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training course. That training, plus their "experience, communication skills, compassion and empathy," meant Plemons and Pozega prevented a suicide. They got the woman to voluntarily come away from the edge of the bridge and into a waiting ambulance that took her to Mercy Health Hospital in Lorain. Plemons' "smooth calming voice" kept the woman's attention focused on him, Pozega said, while he got closer to her in case she tried to jump or slipped. The sheriff's office also mentioned the assistance of Sheffield police Officer Kevin Bring, who also is CIT trained and helped them on the call. Lorain County Metro Parks rangers helped block traffic and local firefighters provided assistance. Plemons said there was "a lot going on" at the scene, and he was glad everything worked out. Stammitti said he thinks all police officers should have CIT training to teach them to de-escalate dangerous situations such as a mental health crisis for the safety of everyone involved. The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County provides such training to local police. The deputies' "quick thinking, ability to remain calm in a crisis and compassion for their fellow human being likely saved the life of a young woman suffering a mental health crisis," the award citation states. "Their actions represent the highest levels of public service and help to fulfill the mission of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office." Other sheriff's office commanders had high praise for the two deputies. Knowing the veteran deputies, who have about 50 years of experience between them, sheriff's Major Don Barker said he "wasn't surprised" by the positive outcome. Capt. Richard Bosley said what Plemons and Pozega did is "not glamorous, but it's some of the most important law enforcement work we can do." Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveOBrienCT.