Two Ridgefield police officers were honored for their efforts as they assisted suicidal individuals on separate occassions in February.
During Ridgefield City Council’s April 14 meeting, RPD officers Nic Siem and Craig Wattson received lifesaving awards. RPD Chief John Brooks introduced the officers and recounted their deeds which led to the recognition.
Both will receive medals for being officers “that really stood out and did the most important thing that we can do, and that is protect and preserve life,” Brooks said.
“We are really fortunate to have such an incredible group of police officers,” Brooks said.
On Feb. 20, officer Siem was dispatched to a call about a suicidal woman who was intoxicated and bleeding from self-inflicted cuts, Brooks said. The woman had been video chatting with a friend before she lost consciousness.
Siem found the woman in her bedroom, and attempted to wake her multiple times, Brooks said. Siem was familiar with the woman’s history of substance abuse, and administered naloxone nasal spray to counteract the effects of a suspected opioid overdose.
Brooks said the woman almost immediately regained consciousness. Paramedics arrived on scene and treated her injuries.
Brooks said it was Siem’s second time using naloxone to counteract a drug overdose in the past year.
Siem was recognized by two fellow Ridgefield officers, Sgt. Jason Ferriss and Officer Tyler King, who authored a memo highlighting Siem’s actions. Brooks said Siem is known for his communication skills and his ability to connect with individuals in crisis.
Seven days later on Feb. 27, officer Wattson was dispatched to the Interstate 5 overpass on Pioneer Street to a report of a suicidal man. The man sat on the overpass railing and was hanging onto a light pole, Brooks said.
At the same time, a call for a physical disturbance at a nearby apartment complex came in, Brooks said.
“Both calls required an urgent response, but officer Wattson was the sole officer on duty at the time,” Brooks said.
The chief said Wattson coordinated with a neighboring police agency so they could respond to the disturbance while he handled the suicidal individual. While organizing assistance from crisis response teams, Wattson developed a rapport with the man. He learned the man had multiple life issues and said he had “nothing to live for,” Brooks quoted.
Wattson was able to coax the man down and into the patrol car to relax, Brooks said, offering the man food and water while they waited for medical services to arrive.
“Officer Wattson’s kindness and compassion” convinced the man to voluntarily seek professional mental health assistance, Brooks said, and he was transported to the hospital.
Brooks said Wattson’s actions were recognized by Washington State Patrol Sgt. Joshua Merritt, who wrote to Brooks to express how impressed he was with one of his officers.
“He did a great job and I would be highly confident in having him speak with anyone in a crisis situation,” said Brooks as he read what Merritt wrote.
Following the call at the overpass, Wattson received information from the responders to the physical disturbance call which he then relayed to the oncoming police shift, Brooks said. That information led to the arrest of someone wanted by U.S. Marshals on felony charges.
“Officer Wattson’s training and years of experience allowed him to go above and beyond his normal duties by simultaneously (dealing with) two priority calls, coordinating multiple resources and ultimately saving the life of a citizen from suicide,” Brooks said.
The National Suicide Prevention hotline can be reached at 800-273-8255.
