Attempted Suicide

Then Firefighter-Paramedic Michael Conway and Firefigher-Paramedic Joaquin Lapastora were assigned to Rescue 29. At approximately 11p.m. they were returning from an incident when they observed a man walking down the street at Western Avenue and the 101 Freeway. What was unusual about this man was that he was carrying a large section of rope.

Firefighter-Paramedic Michael Conway and Joaquin Lapastora saw the man stop on the overpass and begin tying off the end of the rope to the overpass rail. They made a sudden U-turn and park near the man who had then tied the rope around his neck to climb over the rail and jump to his death.

Upon seeing this both Conway and Lapastora left the safety of the ambulance and lunged a the man as he was readying to hang himself. They grabbed the distraught man by his jacket and pulled him back over the rail to the sidewalk. The man was taken into protective custody and was held at a local hospital for observation.

Firefighter-Paramedic Conway and Lapastora were instrumental in preventing serious injury and perhaps death to a man determined to kill himself. Their acute awareness and prompt decisive actions clearly illustrate the highest standards that serve as the foundation of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Due to the actions of these two members, it is with great pride that they are awarded Letters of Special Commendation.