Page 44 - February 2017

Officer Awards
Police Officer Ivy L. Maldonado, Star #16310
Police Officer Ambar X. Toledo, Star #13203
Police Officer Fernando Flores, Star #7155
On Sept. 10, Officer Fer- nando Flores responded to a call of a sui- cide attempt. Upon arrival, he observed the victim cling- ing to the out- side of a bridge. He was clearly distraught and suicidal. The
disturbed man talked to himself frantically as he leaned over the edge of the bridge.
Officer Flores quickly established concern for the subject’s well-being by trying to control the victim’s emotional instability. While working to convince the victim to step away from the ledge, the victim stated to Officer Flores that, “He had messed up with his lady friend and no longer wanted to live.” Officer Flores calmed the subject down and kept a conversation going while Officer Maldonado and Officer Toledo stood at the ready in case the subject were to jump.
The Chicago Fire Department also responded to the call. Once the victim spotted the arrival of the fire department, he closed his eyes, began to pray and released his grip from the bridge. He began falling toward the river below before the officers disregarded their own safety to grab the suicidal male. The man’s 6-foot-2, 210-pound stature made it extremely dangerous to hold him from falling to the water below. But the officers held strong until assisting units arrived.
“It took about five or six people to actually stop the solid momentum and grab him because at that point it was just dead weight,” recalled Flores. “We had to grab him by the shoulder and pull him back over.”
Together the officers were able to pull the man’s weight over the bridge railing with the help of Chi- cago firefighters. The male was brought to safety because of the bravery and strength of Officers Flores, Toledo and Maldonado. Chicago Fire De- partment personnel and the other officers trans- ported the subject to the Swedish Covenant Hos- pital for psych evaluation.
If it weren’t for the fearless response of these of-
ficers, the victim could very well have ended his life that day.
“It’s huge to have backup,” stated Flores. “It was a considerate effort and if it wasn’t for working to- gether as a team, it never would have happened. I would have been in the river with him if I had to pull him up myself.”
It is with great appreciation that the Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7, presents Offi- cers Fernando Flores, Ambar X. Toledo and Ivy L. Maldonado with a Lifesaving Award. d
44 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2017
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