For Release: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
State Police Recognize DEC Forest Ranger For Bravery
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Ranger Julie Harjung was given a special commendation for bravery at the New York State Police Annual Awards Day Ceremony for her role in preventing a suicidal man from taking his own life, Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.
The ceremony, held May 11 at the New York State Police Academy in Albany, paid tribute to the courage and perseverance of members of the State Police and other law-enforcement officials.
Forest Ranger Harjung, joined by Commissioner Grannis, was presented a certificate of appreciation by State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt for her role in rescuing a suicidal man in August 2008.
"Ranger Harjung is a valued member of our environmental law enforcement team," said Commissioner Grannis. "She has demonstrated strong professional qualities and abilities as an enforcement officer, wildland firefighter and wilderness first responder. Today's award serves as an honor for the Department, and as an extraordinary acknowledgment for Ranger Harjung's courageous efforts in this case. It clearly defines her expertise and dedication to serving and protecting the people of the state."
On Aug. 27, 2008, a multi-agency search began for a man who had called Franklin County 911 and had made suicidal threats. Emergency responders traced his location through his cell phone. The man had fled onto the Raquette River in a canoe and was threatening suicide and pointing a muzzle-loading rifle at his own head.
Two State Troopers, Dustin E. Fleishman and George M. Stannard, boarded a small boat along with Forest Ranger Harjung, who navigated it out into the river. The party approached the suicidal subject, approximately 500 feet from shore, and the troopers and the ranger engaged him in a dialog for more than an hour, attempting to prevent his suicide.
At one point the state troopers and Forest Ranger Harjung were able to convince the subject to allow them to navigate closer to the canoe, at which time an attempt was made to gain physical control of the subject. During that struggle the muzzle-loading rifle discharged and seriously injured Stannard's hand.
The other state trooper and the suicidal man fell into the water where a struggle continued. Forest Ranger Harjung, realizing the extent of injury to Stannard, immediately brought him to shore and secured medical assistance. She enlisted additional law enforcement personnel and returned to the scene of the struggle where the Fleishman subdued the subject, who was taken into custody, placed in the ranger's boat and transported to shore.
In addition to the certificate of appreciation, Superintendent Corbitt presented Forest Ranger Harjung with a letter of commendation which states that her "bravery and decisive action resulted in the saving of a human life and provided invaluable assistance to the New York State Police in the resolution of this incident."
Harjung has been a Forest Ranger for 13 years; currently she covers the Towns of Harrietstown and Tupper Lake in Franklin County in the northern Adirondacks. She is also an Emergency Medical Technician, Captain of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad and lead instructor for the DEC Wilderness First Responder Training.
DEC Forest Rangers are responsible for protecting the natural resources of state lands, including the New York State Forest Preserve, through education, enforcement of state land regulation and wildland fire fighting. They also ensure the safety of the people who recreate on state land through education and search and rescue efforts. Forest rangers are the premier land stewards, search & rescue and wildland fire fighting organizations in New York State.
Visit ftp://ftp.dec.state.ny.us/dpae/press/Harjung/ for photos.
