On April 25th, a man in a mental health crisis called 911 claiming to have a knife and scissors. The Normal Police Department Facebook page recognized Officer Eric Sage and Officer Isaiah Williamson for their recent police work. Officer Sage, who had previously built rapport with the man, volunteered to communicate with him.
Although initial attempts to reach the man by phone were unsuccessful, other officers arrived at the scene and were able to establish contact with him. The officers displayed a calm and friendly demeanor to keep the situation peaceful, and the man recognized them, which helped put him at ease.
Over the course of about 40 minutes, the officers spoke with the man, offering empathy and resources to help resolve the situation peacefully. Eventually, the man complied and was taken into protective custody without any issues. The officers’ ability to work together and communicate effectively played a key role in ensuring a positive outcome.