Santa Cruz deputy police chief Rick Martinez was honored today for actions that likely prevented a woman from committing suicide last month. Martinez spotted the woman near the Highway 1 overpass and leaning over boulders 35 feet above the San Lorenzo river.
First on the scene, Martinez talked with the woman about a range of subjects before finally landing on her love of her dogs as a topic that connected the suicidal woman with the police officer. That conversation led to her moving to safety and seeking treatment.
Martinez was awarded the department’s life-saving award for his part in the November 27th incident.
