Officers Pull Man From Brink

Constables Michael Sanguinetti and Serena Marchis held on to the man’s ankles for about 10 minutes until reinforcement arrived.

“We got the call for unknown trouble,” recalled Marchis, of the incident at 1:30 a.m. on March 10. “When we got to the floor, a neighbour said she heard some screams down the corridor and pointed us to the apartment. A female opened the door and she had scratches and bruises and her shirt was ripped.”

The man is alleged to have kicked and punched the woman while holding a cleaver.

As the officers entered the bedroom to arrest the suspect for the alleged assault, he took a few steps forwards and headed for the open window.

“We each grabbed a leg and held him by the ankles as he dangled out of the window,” the 12 Division officer recounted. “Just as the backup arrived, he said he wanted to talk to (the woman). As she came into the room, he rose up to talk to her and we grabbed and pulled him inside.

“It was quite an ordeal because he weighed about 170 pounds, the window was at our waists and he was actively fighting us off.”

The 28-year-old man was charged with being unlawfully in a dwelling, forcible confinement, assault, threatening death and assault with a weapon.

Inspector Reuben Stroble said he will recommend the officers for a Service Award.

“Their efforts were very heroic,” he said. “Had it not been for the immediate actions of both officers, the accused would have been successful in his attempt to commit suicide… Although fatigue was setting in, letting go was not an option as they held on until help arrived.

“This is truly a great example of a valiant act of courage and perseverance of two officers to save the life of another person who was violently resisting their efforts to save his life. It goes without saying that saving a person’s life is the highest honour we can bestow upon another. These brave officers are truly worthy of that recognition.”