Six University of St. Thomas Public Safety officers received the St. Paul Police Chief’s Citizen Award.

The officers were recognized for their response to a call Sept. 8, 2009, about a suicidal male student on the Mississippi River near the Lake Street bridge. The student was in critical condition and able to tell officers he had overdosed with a mix of medications.

Forming a human chain, the officers passed the victim up the cliffs. The victim was rushed to the hospital, and the response team saved his life.

Officers Michael Barrett, Bryan Hamilton, Brett Nyman, Wells Farnham, Terry Pretzloff and Josh Suchy were honored at an award ceremony at the Western Police District Thursday afternoon. Family, friends and university authorities came to support the officers.

Director of Public Safety Dave Meuwissen said, “We’re just very proud of our officers. It’s a shining example of the work that they do.  It’s certainly not the only good thing they do.”

Meuwissen said the award was “well-deserved.”

The award is presented to citizens who assisted the police department. Eighteen people were recognized for their contributions. Other award recipients were honored for providing key details in investigations, assisting in medical emergencies until medics could arrive and even tracking down an attempted kidnapping suspect.

Mayor Chris Coleman presented the awards with Police Chief Thomas Smith.

Coleman thanked the recipients for helping keep the city safe. “It is nice to know in the City of St. Paul that we do have folks that will step up, that will look out for each other,” he said.

Officer Farnham said he was honored to be recognized, but said it isn’t just about the award.

“Someone was in a dangerous situation, and we helped him as we would for any student,” he said.

Theresa Malloy can be reached at mall5754@stthomas.edu.