Lifesaving Award · 2009

In 2009, Officer Keywon C. Brown received a Lifesaving Award for his actions during a singularly difficult moment in the life of a young member of the Fond du Lac community.

Officer Brown was dispatched to the area of the Portland Street Parking Ramp, located at 33 N. Portland St. in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, following numerous reports that a teenage girl was standing at the top of the four-story parking ramp, threatening to jump and take her own life.

When Officer Brown arrived on scene, he first made his way into the alleyway near the parking ramp and surrounding businesses. From the ground level, Officer Brown looked upward and saw a young girl crying as she stood on the edge of the ramp, threatening to jump. People nearby pleaded with her to step away from the edge.

Those at the top of the ramp were frozen in fear. The young girl continued to inch closer to the edge, and whenever someone advanced toward her in an attempt to help, she moved closer to falling or jumping.

Officer Brown made his way to the top of the ramp. Initially, he kept his distance while making verbal contact with the distressed teenager.

As Officer Brown spoke with her, he learned that numerous issues were simultaneously affecting her life. She was experiencing difficulties at home and problems involving relationships and friendships. She felt alone, believed that others had turned against her, and had reached a point where she believed she was better off dead.

Officer Brown continued speaking with her and worked to build a rapport, giving her an opportunity to talk and allowing her to feel heard.

Eventually, the young woman broke concentration and stopped communicating with Officer Brown. She began staring intently down from the ramp.

Officer Brown recognized the moment.

Seeing an opportunity to intervene, Officer Brown moved quickly and silently toward her. When he was close enough, he grabbed the young woman and pulled her backward from the ledge, bringing her to safety.

The teenage girl broke down crying, and she was taken to receive the medical and mental health assistance she needed.

For Officer Brown, the award was meaningful, but it was never the most important part of the incident.

Years later, Officer Brown still remembered the encounter. On one occasion, the young woman approached him and told him that she was thriving and happy to be alive.

For Officer Brown, that was thanks enough.

That moment served as a lasting reminder that sometimes the most important thing a police officer can do is simply be there during someone's darkest moment, recognize an opportunity to help, and give that person another chance to see a better tomorrow.

The Lifesaving Award recognized Officer Brown's actions that day. But the knowledge that a young person was still alive, had moved forward, and was now happy to be living her life was the recognition that mattered most.