Municipal News

Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 December 2015 16:46

By Ken Askew

You’ve probably seen a TV crime show that starts out with “This is 911—what is your emergency?”

Officers Matt Plunkett (left) and Gary Barr (right) of the Pleasant Hills Police Department display the statues that were presented to them by the Amen Corner organization.

Shortly after noon on July 11, 2015, that was the response to a call from a local cemetery, so two Pleasant Hills police officers--Matt Plunkett and Gary Barr--were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival in their individual police cruisers, they encountered an intoxicated male who threatened to kill the officers with a homemade sword. The subject refused to put down the sword, so the officers drew their service weapons. While Officer Barr kept the male’s attention, Officer Plunkett moved around behind him, holstered his gun, and deployed his taser, causing the male subject to drop his sword. He was handcuffed, and the Emergency Management Service was called to transport him to the Jefferson hospital for treatment and a mental health evaluation.

While waiting for the ambulance, the male subject stated that he wanted to die via suicide by cop. He has been charged with public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and making terroristic threats.

The officers were able to defuse a potentially violent situation with a high level of professionalism and restraint. Officers Plunkett and Barr were therefore nominated by Pleasant Hills Borough Chief of Police Brian Finnerty for recognition of their teamwork and ability to assess and de-escalate the situation without resorting to lethal force on a troubled, armed citizen who wanted to harm himself.

Two dozen law enforcement personnel were recognized for their bravery at the annual Senator John Heinz Law Enforcement Awards Luncheon in Pittsburgh, attended by 400 people, and sponsored by the Amen Corner. At the luncheon, Officers Matt Plunkett and Gary Barr each received a desk statue for their efforts.

The Amen Corner was founded in 1870; its membership has included judges, lawyers, university deans, bank presidents, governors, mayors, senators, House Representatives, and other prominent leaders in finance and industry.