Pole Fitness

DOVER — Two city police officers were recently awarded with the department’s Life Saving Award for preventing a suicidal teen from jumping off a downtown parking garage.

Police said Detective Molly Martuscello and Officer Juel Cooper responded to calls  June 10 about a 16-year-old boy on the top level of the Orchard Street Parking Garage sitting on the edge of the uppermost wall. The city police station is adjacent to the garage. The teen appeared as though he was preparing to jump based off his body language and demeanor, according to police. 

Martuscello and Cooper approached the teen, who they believed was not aware of their presence, police said, and grabbed him by his arms, pulling him from the ledge. While the officers were speaking with him, he stood up and attempted to jump over the wall but was prevented from doing so once again by Cooper and Martuscello, police said. 

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The Dover Police Department credits the “swift actions” of Martuscello and Cooper with saving the teen’s life. The teen was immediately taken for a mental health evaluation and the department’s police social worker remains in contact with the teen’s parents to offer assistance and resources. The department stated that “he continues to receive treatment and is doing better.”