ROCKLAND, Maine — Two police officers were honored Tuesday for helping to save a man who tried to kill himself.
Rockland police Sgt. Matthew Lindahl and former Rockland officer Scott Redmun were presented with the Rockland Police Department’s Meritorious Service Award.
The men were recognized for their actions on July 15 while answering a call to check on a citizen showing signs of a mental health problem.
“This Meritorious Service Award is given for service rendered beyond the course of duty where a member, because of their diligence and perseverance, performs an exemplary duty in which a crime is prevented, life saved, property protected, or a dangerous criminal is apprehended,” Chief Bruce Boucher stated in a news release.
The chief said Lindahl arrived in time to make contact with the man, who climbed up a tree and started tying a rope around his neck, according to the department. Lindahl tried to talk to the man, who said he was ready to end it all. Redmun then arrived and also attempted to talk with the man.
Before the officers could talk him down, the man jumped from the tree in an attempt to hang himself.
“Sgt. Lindahl was able to reach the male’s feet and push up on him to create slack in the rope thus allowing the male to breath,” according to the news release. “The male was kicking at Sgt. Lindahl’s head in order to stop Sgt. Lindahl from helping him. Sgt. Lindahl did not give up and continued to assist.”
Meanwhile, Redmun started to climb the tree in an attempt to cut the man down.
“At this time the male drew a knife from his waistband,” according to the report. “Officer Redmun continued to try to climb. The male then used his knife to cut himself free of the rope and Sgt. Lindahl and Officer Redmun helped the male down and onto the ground where he was immediately taken into protective custody and to Pen Bay Medical Center.”
Lindahl has been with the Rockland Police Department since 1997. Redmun worked for the Rockland Police Department from June 2013 to August 2015 before being hired as a deputy sheriff with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.