A Red Deer City RCMP officer jumped into the Red Deer River to save a man who jumped off the Gatez Avenue bridge early Friday morning.
At about 1:20 a.m., police responded after a downtown Corps of Commissionaire officer saw a man pacing on the deck of the bridge before jumping into the river.
Const. Darren Ryan jumped into the water from the river bank to reach the man who appeared to be attempting suicide.
The man, 40, of Lloydminster, resisted assistance and became combative, but Ryan was able to pull the man to shore where he was assisted by other officers.
The man, who did not sustain any injuries from his suicide attempt, was transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre for medical assistance.
Const. Sabrina Grunow said the RCMP would like to see Ryan recognized with a commendation or award for saving the man.
“Someone was in dire stress and the actions ultimately taken led to his life being saved,” Grunow said on Friday.
She said it’s not uncommon for police, fire and emergency workers to perform CPR, jump into a river or run into a burning building and it’s just nice to recognize that people go “above and beyond.”
Const. Ryan, 29, was on trial for assault in Red Deer provincial court this week. The charge stems from a brief brawl outside a Red Deer bar in 2009. The verdict will be handed down on Aug. 27.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com