Manassas City Police Department BRONZE AWARD

OnOctober 27, dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a citizen stating that she was on top of the parking garage about to jump off. Officer Gaines arrived on the scene first and located the person in crisis, leaning over the ledge on the top floor of the parking garage. Officer Gaines immediately started to build a rapport with the person, but the person would not step away from the side of the parking garage. Officer Gaines attempted to make the person feel comfortable, and the person in crisis started to confide in Officer Gaines.

Officer Gaines convinced the person to step away from the ledge and talk to her. Officer Gaines kept herself between the person in crisis and the ledge. Officer Gaines continued to de-escalate the highly tense and emotional situation. Eventually, the person was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. The person in crisis admitted that she attempted suicide eight times and was about to jump out of the parking garage. Officer Gaines placed herself in immediate danger and utilized her de-escalation skills and experience to bring a potentially tragic situation to a positive ending. Officer Gaines went above and beyond in the performance of her duty, utilized excellent judgment, and ultimately saved the person’s life.