Aspinwall officer recognized for helping save a man's life in O'Hara

A man who attempted to end his life last month is alive thanks to the quick action of Aspinwall Police Officer Leann Heffley and other responding police.

Mayor Joseph Noro commended Heffley for her service and presented her with a proclamation at the May 4 council meeting.

“It’s nice,” she said of the recognition. “I think it’s something that needs to happen more often when officers go to these situations. It’s very nice of them to do this.

Heffley was second on on the scene of what authorities described as a violent psychiatric call April 25 around 11 p.m. at the Comfort Inn and Suites along Gamma Drive in O’Hara Township.

Officer Nick Hawk from Blawnox had arrived just moments earlier and found a man trying to hang himself from a truck.

Hawk grabbed the man and kept him from hanging while Heffley cut the cord he was using.

Aspinwall Police Chief David Nemec said they began to perform lifesaving measures, and the man eventually recovered. More information about the man was not released.

Nemec said it is another example of how community departments work well together on calls.

“They do their job. They listen. We assist other departments,” Nemec said. “We try being there first or being there on time and not lollygagging around. I think all of our officers do that. That night, Officer Heffley just happen to be working. She got up there right away and was one of the first ones on the scene. She was able to do her job and do it well. We’re proud of her.”

The chief stressed the main priorities of police service is to save lives and help others.

“The No. 1 thing is preservation of life. You don’t really have the background details (when responding to these types of calls). This person is going through a mental health crisis, and you want to do the best you can as soon as you can to stop them and help them.”

Heffley, 31, of Bellevue has been in law enforcement for six years. She worked in Stowe Township and for the Allegheny County Housing Authority before joining Aspinwall in September.