Ray Turner, "Corey-Kerlin" 

Officer of the Quarter

COMMENDATION 

Officer R.R. Hullender #7244
CCR# 234624

On 03-28-10 at 2310, a depressed subject called police to report that he was going to commit suicide.  The subject refused to give his name or any other information, other than he was going to kill himself by jumping off the Dames Point Bridge.  Several police officers quickly responded to the scene, including Officer Hullender.  The subject’s vehicle was located, abandoned at the top of the span.  Officers took up positions at the scene, as the bridge was closed and traffic was diverted around the area.  An immediate search of the area was conducted, but the subject was not located.  The Air Unit responded to assist in the search. 

Officer Hullender, realizing that the timing was of the utmost importance, used her personal cell phone to call the phone number left by the yet unknown subject.  Officer Hullender engaged the subject in casual conversation and was quickly able to gain his trust.  She established a rapport with the subject, as he told her his name and that he had already climbed to the top of the bridge tower.  The subject told Officer Hullender that he was depressed over a failed relationship and that he was going to jump.  

Due to inclement weather, the subject could not be seen from the bridge deck.  Once the Air Unit arrived at the scene, they were able to observe the subject with infrared vision.   The male was, in fact, at the top of the bridge tower pacing back and forth, looking over the railing.  Utilizing caring professionalism and expert negotiation tactics, Officer Hullender was not only able to keep the subject on the phone with her, but she was also able to calm the volatile man.  Less than an hour into the tense situation, Officer Hullender was able to successfully talk the suicidal man down from the top of the bridge and safely into the custody of the waiting officers below.   

As a direct result of Officer Hullender’s quick thinking and calm actions in a stressful situation, a suicidal man was saved from certain death.  Officer Hullender’s actions clearly exemplify the Sheriff’s Office Core Values of Worthy of Trust and Always Improving.  Excellent work!

Sincerely,

Sheriff John H. Rutherford

John H. Rutherford  

Sgt. R.R. Knecht #5947

Patrol West, Zone 6

Time Will Tell!

Cecil Field/Hillwood

Ron Barton, JEDC & Daniel Webb, Webb International

This second debate was questioned by some members, since the City Council had cast their vote in favor of Hillwood just a few days prior to the meeting.  Actually Ron Barton who could not make the first debate requested a chance to tell us why the  "Sweet Deal" was right for the City.  The Northside Business Leaders Action Committee felt that the meeting should still be "Fair & Balanced" and we brought in Daniel Webb, owner of Imerson Industrial Park.  Imerson will most likely suffer from this deal, however Ron Barton thinks that thought is wrong.  We of the NBL hope Ron is right that the other industrial sights will benefit from this deal, only "Time Will Tell".

The business owners in the club find it disappointing that Ron felt we weren't capable of understanding as he called it, "This complicated deal!".  I believe he doesn't realize that running and owning businesses are complicated deals.

The "Last Word", we of the Northside Business Leaders wish only the best for all of Jacksonville!

Paul Forte, Chairman of the Northside Action Committee (NAC)