by Kevin Caruso
July 22, 2004
A suicidal woman stood on the ledge of an 11th floor window on July 19th, and threatened to jump if anyone entered her apartment -- and she pushed her refrigerator behind her door to make it difficult for anyone to get in.
The Fargo, North Dakota, Police and Fire Departments quickly responded.
Police officer Lt. Dave Todd and firefighter Capt. Leroy Skarloken entered the apartment above the woman's window and prepared to rappel down to prevent the suicide.
Meanwhile, Sgt. Kevin Pallas, a police negotiator, communicated with the woman from the ground.
Sgt. Pallas was able to make contact with the woman via a wireless phone and began trying to persuade her to step back into her apartment.
The woman talked with Sgt. Pallas for a while, but then threw her phone in the apartment. Sgt. Pallas then continued communicating with her by yelling to her.
All along, Lt. Todd and Capt. Skarloken were preparing to move.
Sgt. Pallas soon asked her to step in her apartment just for a moment to get her phone.
The woman complied, and the second she went back inside, Lt. Todd and Capt. Skarloken quickly rappelled down to her window and entered the apartment. Once inside,
they were able to control her until additional officers were able to enter.
The woman was then taken to a hospital for evaluation.
There were no injuries, and a suicide was prevented.
Great work by three heroes - Lt. Dave Todd, Capt. Skarloken, and Sgt. Kevin Pallas.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
