Solebury Police Chief Dominick Bellizzie this month issued Commendations of Merit to three officers who came to the aid of a woman who was threatening to jump off the Lumberville Foot Bridge into the Delaware River on New Year’s Day.
The commendations went to Cpl. Michael Johnson, and Officers Brendan Murphy and Patrick Dorsey during the March 19 meeting of the township board of supervisors.
“On Jan.1, 2024...Officer Murphy was dispatched to the Lumberville Foot Bridge where a woman was threatening to jump into the river,” Bellizzie said. “(He saw her) clinging to the bridge railing on the river side with her family in a frenzied state on the bridge walkway. Officer Murphy began speaking to the woman and managed to get a hold of her so she could not jump or fall.”
He said for nine minutes, Murphy held onto the woman until Dorsey and Johnson arrived and helped him safely dislodge her from the railing and lift her back to the bridge walkway.
Those weren’t the only commendations issued during the March 19 meeting before a packed house of parents, grandparents, friends, and happy toddlers.
Commendations of Merit also went to Central Bucks Medic Thomas Richmond, EMT Ashley Hutchinson and EMT Conor Myers, both of the Lambertville-New Hope Rescue Squad, who on Aug. 19 were dispatched to a suicide in progress in the 2600 block of Sugan Road, the chief said.
A woman in the midst of a mental health crisis was seen entering a heavily overgrown wooded area carrying an 8-foot ladder and a rope, Bellizzie said.
“As they approached and attempted to comfort her, she jumped from the top of the ladder,” Bellizzie recounted. “(Richmond and Myers) supported her weight against a tree so as to prevent death. (She) continued to resist attempts to save her by kicking and fighting. (Richmond and Myers) were able to regain control of her as EMT Hutchinson cut the rope from round her neck. (They) lowered her to the ground, comforted her and calmed her down and rendered first aid. It is undoubtedly true that your actions this day saved the life of the woman.”
Commendatory Citations also went to Detective Cpl. Jonathon Koretzky and Sgt. Kevin Edwards. The officers arrested three occupants of a car with malfunctioning taillights on routes 202 and 179 and charged them with narcotics violations, the chief said.
With a search warrant of the car the officers found items stolen from a T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s department store valued at over $4,000, the chief said.
Officers Gina Ferzetti and Anthony Viruet-Melendez also received Merits of Commendation for chasing and arresting a suspect charged with multiple burglaries on July 19 after a chase at Route 202 near Fox Run Estates.
On Jan 6, Officer Matthew Rice and K9 Blitz were contacted by Tinicum Township police who had seized a vehicle suspected of transporting narcotics.
Coupled with information from Tinicum police and the fact that Blitz was focusing his attention on the vehicle’s trunk area, a search warrant was obtained. Rice and Blitz found about 10 packages of heroin with a street value of more than $10,000, Bellizzie said.
The defendant was charged with possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and related offenses, he added.
“Blitz! Excellent work, buddy,” the chief laughed, “and you, too Matt.”
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