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Berrien County sheriff presents life‑saving awards to deputies after June jail suicide attempt
Summary
The Berrien County sheriff and undersheriff presented three life‑saving awards and three letters of accommodation to deputies who restrained and treated an inmate on June 24 after he attempted suicide, county commissioners heard at their meeting.
The Berrien County sheriff and undersheriff on Monday presented life‑saving awards to deputies who intervened on June 24 after an inmate in a county dormitory attempted suicide, county commissioners were told.
Commissioners heard that deputies responded after the inmate had cut his neck and was losing a significant amount of blood. Lieutenant Kristen Barker, the shift supervisor, took charge and directed staff while other deputies restrained the individual and provided first aid, the sheriff said.
"This individual continued to fight with the deputies while this was going on," the sheriff said, describing deputies' simultaneous need to manage violent resistance and a major medical emergency. Sergeant Stannard and Deputy Norton were credited with restraining the inmate; Norton maintained the restraint for more than 13 minutes while medical calls were placed. Deputy Warman retrieved a red‑bag medical kit and assisted with both restraint and first aid, the sheriff said.
Lieutenant Robbins was described as issuing "clear and concise instructions to everyone involved," including medical staff, and Sergeant Stannard was noted for both restraining the inmate and notifying the receiving emergency room. Other deputies recognized with letters of accommodation included Deputy Harrelson, who helped handcuff the person after cuts to an arm, Deputy Lardizabal, who gathered towels from other inmates to apply pressure to the wound, and Deputy Nowak, who helped stabilize the person’s neck while medical help was applied.
The sheriff said the department's awards committee reviewed the incident and recommended three life‑saving awards and three letters of accommodation. Commissioners paused the meeting briefly while award recipients came forward for photos.
The board did not take formal action on the awards; the presentations were part of the meeting's recognition items and the commission continued with its agenda after photographs and remarks.
