ROCKLAND — Rockland Police Chief Bruce Boucher announced Wednesday that Sgt. Matthew Lindahl and former Officer Scott Redmun had been selected as recipients of the department's Meritorious Service Award for their actions July 15 while responding to a call about an emotionally and/or mentally distressed man, who ultimately attempted to commit suicide.

Lindahl and Redmun were selected by a department award committee to be honored for "service above and beyond the call of ordinary duty," according to Police Chief Bruce Boucher in a press release.

The incident began around 6:50 p.m. that Wednesday, when officers were dispatched to an area behind the Apprentice Shop, known as Bum's Beach, for a report of a suicidal male. When they arrived, Redmun walked out toward the pier to make contact with a male on the pier, while Lindahl walked north toward the beach area.

While Lindahl was walking, he observed a man leave the beach and enter the tree line. According to Boucher, the man was carrying a rope and Lindahl observed him climb a tree with it.

Lindahl made contact with the man, who was up in the tree actively tying the roper around his neck, and attempted to establish a dialogue with him. The man told the officer he "was ready to end it all," and attempts by Redmun, who had also arrived at the location, to talk to the male were unsuccessful.

Moments later, the man jumped from the tree with one end of the rope tied to it and the other end tied around his neck.

Boucher said Lindahl was able to reach the man's feet and push up on him to create slack in the rope, allowing the man to breath.

"The male was kicking at Sgt. Lindahl's head in order to stop Sgt. Lindahl from helping him," but Lindahl did not give up and continued to assist the man, according to Boucher.

At that time, Redmun began to climb the tree in an attempt to cut the rope, but the man drew a knife from his waistband and and used his knife to cut himself free of the rope. Redmun and Lindahl then helped the man down and onto the ground, and immediately took him into protective custody, according to Boucher in the release.

The man was eventually transported by Rockland EMS to Pen Bay Medical Center for treatment.

Redmun, now a deputy with the Knox County Sheriff's Office, and Lindahl were selected to receive the Meritorious Service Award for performing service above and beyond the call of ordinary duty. The award is given for "service rendered beyond the course of duty where a member, because of their diligence and perseverance, performs an exemplary duty in which a crime is prevented, life saved, property protected or a dangerous criminal is apprehended."

Lindahl has been with the Rockland Police Department since 1997. He graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 1998 and has held a variety of positions within the department since he was hired. Those include field training officer, drug recognition expert and CIT member. He is also a certified MCJA instructor. He has been a member of the Bicycle Patrol Team since 1998 and Harbor Patrol Unit since 2007.

Redmun worked for the Rockland Police Department from 2013 to August 2015. He is a May 2014 graduate of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He recently joined the Knox County Sheriff's Office as a deputy.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.