Crime & Safety

Peabody MBTA Cop Praised for Saving a Life

Sgt. Steven O'Hara of Peabody will be formally commended in May for talking a man off the ledge of a roof of a parking garage in Quincy. The man was ready to jump to his death.

Peabody's Steven O'Hara, a sergeant with the Mass. Bay Transit Authority Transit Police, will be publicly commended at an upcoming ceremony for his lifesaving actions earlier this month with a man who threatened to jump to his death.

MTBA Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan said on April 5 around 1:45 a.m, O'Hara responded to the Quincy Center Station Parking Garage on a report of a person on the roof who was threatening to jump.

O’Hara was met by Officer William Smith who said the man was on the roof of the garage, sitting on the ledge with both feet hanging off.

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O’Hara cautiously approached the man and began to talk to him.

MacMillan said the man, who identified himself as "Dan," told O'Hara that if anyone came near or tried to grab him, he would jump. As the two talked further, the man revealed that he had a history of drug abuse and family problems.

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MacMillan said that after about 15 minutes, O’Hara was finally able to convince Dan there were other options and the man got off the ledge.

He was taken down to the side street of the parking garage to a waiting ambulance and transpoted to Quincy Hospital for further psychological evaluation.

"Sergeant O’Hara’s swift, effective and compassionate actions as a skilled negotiator resulted in saving a life. His actions embody his dedication to the department’s core values of perseverance and professionalism and his steadfast commitment to excellence," MacMillan writes.

O’Hara will be awarded a certificate of commendation, which will be placed in his personnel file, during a ceremony May 9 (10 a.m.) at the MBTA Police Headquarters.


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