Two BPD Officers Awarded Medal of Merit

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Two Burlington police officers have received the department’s second highest award for saving a man who was attempting to jump from the Great River Bridge in March.

Police chief Dennis Kramer presented officers Jacob Janekins and Joshua Riffel with the Medal of Merit on Monday. He says the two responded to a call on March 26th where a man was standing on the railing outside of the bridge, preparing to take his own life.

The officers were able to grab onto the man, and after a brief struggle pull him back to safety. The officers were both humble in their acceptance of the award, Officer Jenkins said it was all in a night’s work.

“We’re grateful to receive this award… on a night where we were just out doing our job,” Jenkins said.

Chief Kramer says according to the family, that man’s mental condition has now improved through treatment and therapy.