Sewickley officers honored for actions in dangerous situations

Several Sewickley police officers were recognized for their heroism in arresting a homicide suspect, and another for saving a would-be bridge jumper.

Smiles were plentiful at the July 11 council meeting as elected officials presented Officer Recognition Awards to Sgt. William Hanlon and officers Matthew Baroni, Raymon “Darcel” Bouyer and Mike Matone.

The award is given when officers show bravery, intelligence and dedication in an effort to prevail in an extreme situation.

Baroni, Hanlon and Bouyer were credited with apprehending a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting in Neville Island.

Matone stopped a man from leaping off the Sewickley Bridge.

They all received plaques.

“Our meeting was a great opportunity for council to thank both our police professionals and their loved ones,” said council President Cynthia Mullins. “It was so nice to see the chamber filled with the families of the four officers who received commendations. Council values the contribution our police department makes to the quality of life in our community.”

Police Chief David Mazza talked about the incidents and why his officers deserved recognition prior to the meeting.

Suspect arrest

Ohio Township police were called to an apartment along Grand Avenue on May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and found a man dead inside. He had been shot five times.

A description of the suspect was sent out over police radio channels.

Mazza said his department received a report a short time later of a possibly intoxicated man, sleeping or passed out, at a table along Broad Street.

Baroni was first on scene and recognized the man from the suspect description. Hanlon and Bouyer arrived as backup.

Mazza said Baroni turned down his police radio and communicated with hand signals so they did not wake up the man, later identified as Dwight Baker, 46, of the Pittsburgh’s Upper Hill District.

Officers surrounded him and took Baker into custody without incident. They recovered a backpack with a handgun.

“Everything went as smoothly and as professionally as possible,” Hanlon said. “Whoever the witness was and the (911) call-taker did a good job putting a description out. We immediately recognized what was going on because of the description. We acted on it the best we could.”

Baker is charged with criminal homicide, burglary, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint and possession of instruments of a crime.

Online court documents show his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Hanlon also commended Baroni’s quick thinking and assessment of the scene.

“When you have guys you trust to do the jobs the right way, it makes it easy to be a supervisor,” the sergeant said. “It was a very nice ceremony (at the council meeting), very nice event.”

Suicide prevented

Officers responded to a call about a possible jumper on the Sewickley Bridge on June 11 around 5:40 p.m.

Matone was first on scene. Mazza said Matone realized he was dealing with someone in crisis and called for backup.

The man started climbing over the railing and was going to jump when Matone grabbed him and attempted to get the man back over the other side.

Cpl. Angela Zane from Moon Township also assisted with securing the man, who was later taken to a hospital for an evaluation.

“When I was on scene and noticed the issue at hand, it kind of unfolded kind of quick,” Matone said.

“The guy had music playing on his cell phone and wasn’t answering commands. … I hopped the Jersey barrier as he got his second leg over and grabbed him.”

Matone said his years of training and experience helped him stay focused in that crisis situation.

“You’re there to serve the public and save individuals when in crisis,” he said. “My first instinct was to get to him as fast as possible and grab him.”

The officers thanked council and the chief for the recognition.

“It’s nice to be able to do something nice for guys that deserve it,” Mazza said. “It’s nice to put smiles on faces once in a while.”