Statesboro Officers Awarded Meritorious Service for Saving Suicidal Man

On Wednesday night, the Statesboro Police Department honored Corporal Jodie Tanner, Corporal Dillon Shepherd, and Advanced Patrol Officer Kasey Baynon with the Meritorious Service Award for their heroic actions in negotiating with a suicidal man. The officers responded to a distress call involving a man who was distraught and had made several comments about harming himself.

Upon arrival, the man was found with a gun to his head, finger on the trigger. Taking cover positions, Corporals Shepherd and Baynon engaged in a 30-minute negotiation, ultimately convincing the man to put down the gun and accept medical assistance. Corporal Tanner, the first arriving supervisor, played a critical role in maintaining scene integrity, ensuring the safe evacuation of family members, and overseeing the operation. The officers’ actions were credited with preventing a tragedy and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.