Pictured is Jamestown High School’s School Resource Officer, Jeremy Maggio, who was recognized during Monday’s voting session for his actions during an incident in November. He is pictured interacting with JHS students in this file photo. Submitted photo

A City Council member is calling for formal recognition for Jeremy Maggio, a Jamestown police officer who serves as Jamestown High School’s school resource officer.

Council member Jeff Russell, R-At Large and chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, discussed a Nov. 4 incident during Monday’s City Council voting session in which Maggio responded to a student in distress. He praised Maggio’s actions in helping the student in distress and keeping the rest of the student population safe, and asked for Police Chief Timothy Jackson to acknowledge Officer Maggio’s actions and place a letter from Russell, along with a letter of accommodation on his permanent record in his personnel file.

“On this day, Officer Maggio during his normal course of duties came upon a student who was suffering from a mental health crisis, and was threatening to do harm to himself with a knife,” Russell said.

“Officer Maggio through his quick actions was able to isolate the student in distress, call for additional school security personnel, school administration, and additional backup from the Jamestown Police Department.”

Russell said a hold at place was initiated at the school, helping to further keep the rest of the school population safe. Additionally, he said Maggio engaged verbally with the student and placed himself in the doorway, and was eventually able to de-escalate the student over the course of several minutes.

“The student did drop the knife as a result of Officer Maggio’s actions,” Russell said. “In today’s world where police officers are often villainized by certain individuals and or groups I believe it’s imperative we make the public aware of the positive and often heroic actions officers encounter, often on a daily basis.”