HOWELL – A Howell police officer is being praised for the compassion he showed in talking a man out of killing himself on the afternoon of June 7.
Police said a note left by a 45-year-old Howell resident sent police into action. The note indicated the man had suicidal intentions. Police said the man was in possession of a handgun he legally owns and was operating his vehicle at the time of his disappearance.
Measures were immediately taken to locate the individual, who police did not name. Law enforcement agencies statewide were notified and the man and his vehicle were placed into a law enforcement database. Information indicated he was armed and suicidal, according to police.
Cell phone “pings” led police to the man at a location on Route 524A in Howell. Officers found him in his vehicle, which had its engine running. The area was secured and traffic was rerouted, police said.
For the next two hours, the man, who police said appeared to be under the influence, held the gun in his lap. At times he seemed to be asleep, according to police.
Patrolman Robert Hill, who initially located the man, spoke with him the entire time and asked him not to take his own life, according to police. The man eventually exited the vehicle, complied with instructions and was taken into custody without incident.
“The compassion Patrol Officer Robert Hill displayed through his conversation with the distraught individual is undoubtedly the reason why there was a successful resolution to this incident. He truly did save his life,” Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said.
The man did not make any comments to officers, nor did he raise the gun at himself or police. Police said no injuries were sustained at the scene. The man was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for psychological evaluation and treatment. No criminal charges have been filed at this time, according to police.