HOWELL – A quick and diligent search by officers from the Howell Police Department resulted in the rescue of a young man who attempted to take his own life on the evening of Oct. 16.
Howell police said that at 9 p.m., officers Richard Robertiello, Nicholas Austin and Daniel Bozza responded to the area of the Aldrich School on Aldrich Road for a report of a missing and/or suicidal person. The only identifying information provided by police was that the missing person was a 21-year-old male.
From text messages being sent by the distressed individual, family members and friends had reason to believe he would be at the school to commit suicide so they responded there as they contacted police. Upon arrival, the man’s vehicle was located, unoccupied, according to police.
When Robertiello, Austin and Bozza arrived, they began searching the area for the young man. The officers searched near the school, in surrounding fields and in neighboring residential areas.
The officers then ran through a wooded area near the school, using flashlights to search for the man. Robertiello located the individual, who was more than 100 feet into the woods. The unconscious man was hanging from a tree with a rope tied around his neck and his feet a foot off the ground.
Robertiello called for help at his exact location as Austin and Bozza arrived to provide assistance. The officers cut the rope, lowered the man and provided first aid until the man regained consciousness, according to police.
He was transported to a hospital for treatment and did not suffer any life-threatening injuries, police said.
In the aftermath of the incident, Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said, “The quick and decisive actions by our patrol officers as well as the telecommunicators who coordinated the response are directly responsible for saving this young man’s life.
“Any delay or misstep during that call would have resulted in an opposite and sad ending. Lives would have been entirely changed forever. I am proud of my personnel, however, I am not surprised. They are highly competent and professional. We wish this young man and his family all the best in their recovery. We are here if you need us.”
