Butler Police Lt. Ronald Fierst and Patrolman William Mayhugh III demonstrated experience and expertise in averting a potential suicide at the tier garage on Sept. 10 and are deserving of letters of commendation presented to them by Mayor Leonard Pintell.

Fierst kept an 18-year-old man distracted by talking to him, while Mayhugh approached the man from behind, bear-hugged him and put him on the garage deck.

The man, who was distraught over outstanding arrest warrants and described as highly intoxicated, had been leaning over the edge of the garage's top deck and was threatening to jump. Fierst and Mayhugh successfully ended the potentially tragic situation quickly - only about 10 minutes after they were summoned to the scene.

The commendation letters praise the officers for their response to "an unpredictable and volatile situation" and praise them for their "passion of service and commitment" to the police department.

Fierst has been a member of the city department for 26 years, while Mayhugh has been a city police officer for nine years.

On the basis of how they handled the situation, there can be no question that Fierst and Mayhugh appropriately displayed their knowledge of police work and their ability to react quickly. Meanwhile, there no doubt are relatives and friends of the potential victim who are thankful that these two men were on duty that day.

The troubled young man now has the opportunity to resolve his problems, and he has the opportunity to turn his life around for the better.