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CHESTER -- A Chester patrolman is being recognized for his efforts to save a life earlier this month.
According to a letter of commendation from Chester Police Chief Charles Stanley, at approximately 11 p.m., July 2, Chester Officer Tyler Campbell responded to the Jennings Randolph Bridge, under direction from the Hancock County 911 Center which had received a call from a citizen reporting her friend had made social media posts suggesting the friend was going to commit suicide, with pictures taken from a bridge on the Ohio River.
Officers were sent to both the Jennings Randolph Bridge and the Newell Bridge, with Campbell finding the woman on the Jennings Randolph Bridge, on the ledge with her feet dangling over the side.
"Ptlm. Campbell made a quick, decisive decision to take immediate action," the letter of commendation states. "He grabbed the woman in a 'bear-hug' fashion and pulled her away from the ledge. He then detained her until an ambulance and additional law enforcement officers arrived at the scene."
The letter explains a note was found in the woman's pocket, along with an admission she had intended to end her life. The woman was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
"The dispatcher taking the initial call and handling the radio traffic, along with the duty officer-in-charge from the Sheriff's Office, felt that because of Ptlm. Campbell's quick-thinking actions, he may very well have saved the woman's life that night," Stanley states in the letter. "His performance and decisiveness exemplified the Chester Police Department's duty motto of 'To Protect and Serve' the lives of its citizens."
The letter was submitted to Chester Mayor Ken Morris and members of Chester Council on Monday.
Campbell joined the Chester Police Department in January. Prior to that, he served as an officer with the Wellsburg Police Department.