Reidsville Police Officer honored for saving Marine

At Monday’s Reidsville City Council meeting, resident and veteran Jason Oliver appeared before the City Council to express his appreciation of the actions of a Reidsville Police Officer.

Oliver presented his story to the council explaining that in the middle of the night on a March evening, he received a call from a friend and fellow former United States Marine who was in great distress, struggling with depression and was suffering from suicidal thoughts. His friend, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and a traumatic brain injury, was contemplating suicide and Oliver didn’t know what to do. He explained to the the Council that he contacted 1st Sergeant Brandon Jones of the Reidsville Police Department, who was off-duty at the time. Oliver said he asked Jones for some tips on how to keep his friend on the phone and talk him down.

Neither could drive to the Marine because he now resides in Wentzville, Missouri, outside of St. Louis.

Instead of offering some basic tips, Jones responded and helped Oliver through every point of the conversation while getting the Wentzville Police Department on the scene to help the Marine. Oliver was able to stay on the phone with his friend the entire time to coach him through everything that was going to happen as well.

Jason Oliver credits 1st Sergeant Jones for helping save the life of the Marine in Missouri and going above and beyond. He said that he is “forever grateful” that a stranger in the Reidsville Police Department answered his call when he did and assisted in saving a father, someone’s child, a friend, and a decorated Marine veteran.

Oliver presented a letter of appreciation to Reidsville Police Chief Dianne Sapp to give to 1st Sergeant Brandon Jones.