HUNTSVILLE-Huntsville Police Department honor five officers for saving the lives :
“OFFICERS TO RECEIVE LIFE SAVING MEDALS
Officers Tyler Edwards, Jeremiah Higgins, Steven Hopkins, Reynard Robinson, and former officer Whitney Somerville will be recognized at tonight’s City Council meeting and awarded the Huntsville Police Department Life Saving Medal.
On January 2, 2016, Officer Tyler Edwards and Whitney Somerville were dispatched to an attempted suicide. A man suffering from drug addiction and family problems was straddling the railing and threatening to jump from the overpass at University Drive and Sparkman Drive. Officer Somerville remained calm and built a rapport with the male and kept him engaged in conversation so that Officer Edwards could approach him without being noticed. Officer Edwards was able to grab the man and pull him back from the railing. Their teamwork and ability to diffuse the situation allowed them to get the man to safety so he could receive the follow-up treatment he needed.
On February 13, 2016, Officers Jeremiah Higgins, Steven Hopkins and Reynard Robinson were dispatched to an attempted suicide in the area of Stokes Street and Hall Avenue. A female had called 911 saying her husband was threatening to commit suicide, either by being struck by a train or suicide by cop. The officers began checking the area and found the man lying across the railroad tracks with a train fast approaching. The officers risked their own safety and forcibly removed the man from the tracks just seconds before the train passed by. Their teamwork and selfless actions allowed them to get the man to safety so he could receive the follow-up treatment he needed.
Each of these officers had been serving with the Huntsville Police Department for less than 8 years when the incidents occurred, and 3 of them had less than 4 years of service. All of these officers were assigned to the West Precinct as third shift patrol officers.”
