Mayor Clem Seifert and Police Chief Glen Allen congratulate Officers LaMont Burchette, left center, and Joseph Amos for receiving the Medal of Valor on Monday night.
Two Henderson police officers received departmental awards for valor Monday night for risking their own lives to prevent a suicide in December.
The Police Department’s awards committee honored Officers LaMont Burchette and Jospeh Amos for an incident on the Ruin Creek Road bridge over Interstate 85 on Dec. 29.
The officers found a 26-year-old man dangling off the side of the bridge, seemingly willing to die. Just as the man let go, the offficers lunged over the side of the bridge and grabbed the man’s hands. They ultimately pulled the man to safety, preventing his suicide and protecting motorists on the interstate.
“These two gentlemen put themselves in life danger,” Mayor Clem Seifert said during a brief awards ceremony Monday night during the City Council meeting.
Police officers packed the back of the council chambers to see the ceremony and honor their colleagues.
“This is one of the nicer things I get to do,” Police Chief Glen Allen said just before he read the proclamation granting the Medal of Valor to Burchette and Amos.