Officer Dougherty risks own life to save another
December 16, 2008
O’Fallon
On Dec. 11, Officer Steven Dougherty received the Meritorious Service Award at the O’Fallon City Council Meeting.
On Sept. 5, 2008, Officer Dougherty and Officer Anthony Gremaud responded to a radio call of an intoxicated subject walking in the area of Highway K and Highway 40. Upon Dougherty’s arrival he made contact with a subject sitting on the edge of the overpass with his legs dangling over the side, which placed him immediately over the traffic lanes of Highway 40.
The Officers immediately recognized that the individual was emotionally disturbed and under the influence of alcohol. It became apparent that the subject was intending to commit suicide by jumping off of the overpass.
Dougherty initiated a dialogue with the subject and told him not to jump. The subject was not responsive and moved his entire body closer to the edge and appeared to be positioning himself to jump.
Recognizing this, Dougherty quickly lunged at the subject, who was now holding himself up on the edge with his entire body hanging over the highway. Dougherty leaned his upper body out over the edge, grabbed the subject around his neck and shoulders and quickly pulled him back onto the overpass where he was taken into custody. This all took place within seconds and the subject did not have time to react to his actions.
Because Office Dougherty reacted quickly to a stressful situation, he most certainly saved the life of this individual, who later admitted he was waiting for a tractor trailer to come by so he could jump. Dougherty disregarded his own safety by leaning out over the edge of the overpass to take physical control of an emotionally disturbed person. The subject could have easily become combative and attempted to go off the overpass with him in tow.
Officer Dougherty’s actions were a credit to O’Fallon’s agency and the law enforcement profession in general. Chief Jerry Schulte said, “Officer Dougherty is commended for his professionalism and dedication to duty. This was excellent police work and a job well done.”
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