Two Arizona State Troopers dealing with a suicidal man are being praised for showing an abundance of compassion and discipline when dealing with a suicidal man on December 8, 2021
Just after 5 p.m., the troopers were finishing collision investigations in a parking lot on McDowell Road, just east of State Route 51, when a man knelt in front of a parked patrol vehicle. The man appeared to be in a state of distress, and as a trooper spoke with him, he suddenly pulled out a large kitchen-style knife from behind his back and made statements indicating troopers would have to shoot him.
Troopers distanced themselves from the man and repeatedly instructed him to drop the knife, attempting to calm him down. The Phoenix Police Department arrived on the scene to assist.
Despite being told to drop the knife numerous times, but the man refused to comply, wanting to commit suicide by cop. Phoenix Police deployed a less-lethal round, causing the man to drop the knife and allowing troopers and officers to arrest the man.
The man transported to a health facility and will face charges of disorderly conduct and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.