Commendations at Today's Berrien County Commission Meeting to Deputies

Type of Incidents: Awards

Location of Incident: Berrien County Commission Meeting

Agencies Involved: Berrien County Sheriff's Office
St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. 

Narrative: 

At the Berrien County commission meeting, Sheriff Chuck Heit and Undersheriff Greg Sanders presented commendations to two of his employees, D/Sgt Andrea Crosby and Deputy Abigail Pifer, for their interaction as crisis negotiators with an armed suicidal male that was threatening to end his life on the shore of Lake Michigan, in St. Joseph. 

The incident occurred on June 22. 

It drew police officers from a variety of agencies, including the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. St. Joseph's Director Steve Neubecker requested assistance from the Berrien County Sheriff's Office for crisis negotiators. 

Negotiations lasted over two and a half hours and ultimately resulted in the individual surrendering the firearm to the police and not injuring himself, any of the police officers or Medic 1 personnel present, or the public. 

The individual was transported to the hospital for medical care. 

Crosby and Pifer showed exceptional courage, compassion and professionalism during the incident. They demonstrated extraordinary empathy and de-escalation skills. 

Their actions exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement service. 

For their extraordinary efforts and the successful preservation of a human life under the most challenging of circumstances D/Sgt Andrea Crosby and Deputy Abigail Pifer were presented with the awards. 

In addition, Director Steve Neubecker presented an additional award to D/Sgt Andrea Crosby for her communication skills on behalf of the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. 

Congratulations and job well done!