FRANKLIN
On Wednesday, Franklin Police Chief Phillip M. Hardison recognized three officers for their outstanding performance during a critical incident by awarding each a certificate of commendation.

Capt. Tim Whitt, department spokesman, stated that on June 12 at approximately 3 a.m., Communications Officer Brandi Bradshaw received an emergency call from a man who stated he was going to commit suicide. Sergeant Karl Boone, Corporal Stephanie Sumpter and Officer Anthony Sylvia responded to a residence on Malita Street where they found a person in the darkened back yard with a revolver placed to his chest.

Officers began speaking with the person in an effort to de-escalate the situation and establish a rapport. Using their crisis intervention training, they continued a dialog with him, imploring him to put his gun down and allow them to get him assistance. At one point during the encounter, the person stopped talking, placed the revolver to his chest and cocked the gun. The police continued to talk to him until they finally convinced him to put his gun down and surrender peacefully.

Officers spent 41 minutes negotiating with an armed, suicidal person in an effort to save his life.

This trio, said Whitt, demonstrated the epitome of police service, displaying professionalism and compassion under extremely stressful conditions.