Kids & Family
18-Year-Old's Calm Response Averted a Tragedy, Police Say in Commendation
An 18-year-old from Berkley is credited with keeping a suicidal teen calm until Royal Oak police could arrive. Also honored was Adam Sturm, 20, who tackled an intoxicated driver to prevent him from fleeing the scene of a crash.
An 18-year-old Berkley man received a special commendation Monday from the Royal Oak Police Department after he spotted a suicidal teenager atop a 5-story building on 13 Mile on Feb. 25 and calmed her down until police could arrive.
Dugan Fernandez received a Royal Oak Police Department Good Citizen Award for his quick thinking, The Oakland Press reports. Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue credited him with preventing a tragedy during a special ceremony held at the Royal Oak City Commission meeting Monday.
Fernandez said the 17-year-old girl was standing on the edge of the building and looking over. “She was crying her eyes out,” he said.
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As his father called police, Fernandez introduced himself, talked to her calmly and asked if he could do anything to help.
Also honored was Austin Sturm, 20, who witnessed a two-vehicle accident on 11 Mile last month and immediately stopped to give aid. When he noticed one of the drivers trying to flee, he gave chase on foot, tackled the man and returned him to the scene of the crash. The man attempting to flee was reportedly intoxicated.
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O’Donohue praised Sturm for keen awareness and fortitude, according to the story.
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