posted on 7/8/2022
Chief William Breault and the Dover Police Department honored two officers on Friday, July 8, with a Life Saving Award for quick action in saving a distraught teen. The department also promoted a veteran officer to patrol sergeant.
Life Saving Awards
On Friday, June 10, 2022, the Dover Police Department received calls about a 16-year-old male on the top level of the Orchard Street Parking Garage who was sitting on the edge of the uppermost wall and appeared to be planning to jump.
Multiple officers responded to the area, with Officer Juel Cooper and Detective Molly Martuscello arriving first. As Cooper and Martuscello approached the teen, they believed he was preparing to jump based on his body language and demeanor. They also noticed he was not paying attention to his surroundings and was unaware they were approaching him. The officers took advantage of this, grabbed him by his arms, and pulled him from the ledge. After, when Cooper and Martuscello spoke to him, he stood up and attempted again, but the two officers prevented it.
The swift and composed action of Detective Martuscello and Officer Cooper prevented the teen from jumping from the parking structure and saved his life. He was immediately taken for a mental health evaluation.
The department’s police social worker remains in contact with the juvenile’s parents to offer assistance and has maintained contact with the family since the incident. He continues to receive treatment and is doing better.
Promotion to Sergeant
Chief Breault also promoted David Collis on July 8. Collis has been with the department for nearly 11 years. During that time, he has held various special assignments, including Field Training Officer and Problem Oriented Policing Officer. He has also been a longtime member of the Strafford County Regional Tactical Operations Unit.
Sergeant Collis has been assigned to the Field Operations Division as a Patrol Sergeant.
From left, Juel Cooper, David Collis and Molly Martuscello.