Butler County corrections officers John Prazer and Anita Vicari were recognized by the prison board for stopping an inmate suicide.

John Prazer was five months into his job as a corrections officer at the Butler County Prison when he came across a gruesome sight: a person hanging in a cell.

But Prazer acted in time April 6 to stop an attempted suicide by a female inmate.

“I was making rounds,” he said. “I saw her hanging.”

Prazer called upon his training, calling for assistance.

Officer Anita Vicari ran into the cell to help Prazer hold up the woman's body.

“We both lifted and had to take pressure off her neck,” Vicari said.

While they gripped the woman, others untied the sheet that was wound tightly into a noose.

Vicari and Prazer encouraged the inmate.

“We both directed her to breathe in and out,” Vicari said.

The county prison board Tuesday agreed to commend both officers for their efforts on April 6.

Warden Rick Shaffer was directed to write the commendation letters, which would be signed by board members.

Shaffer praised Prazer of Zelienople and Vicari of Butler Township, who did not attend the meeting.

“Because they did their duty well, that person's life was saved,” Shaffer said.

The 25-year-old inmate, who had lost custody of her children, was jailed on a prescription theft violation.

Vicari, a five-year veteran of the prison, said she was glad the woman survived.

“Anything you can do to help the inmate,” she said.