Deputy Andrew Riley, left, and Captain Austin Hann, right, recently received Life Saving Awards.

Nodaway County Sheriff Randy Strong and the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office has recognized Captain Austin Hann and Deputy Andrew Riley with a Life Saving Award for their outstanding efforts.

Nodaway County deputies were dispatched June 5, 2023, at 10:55 a.m. to a person having a mental health crisis and who was threatening self-harm. The woman had made statements that she was going to jump off of the Nodaway River Bridge located on Highway DD, outside of Skidmore.

The woman was located at the river’s edge. Captain Hann and Deputy Riley collected rope and floatation devices from their patrol vehicles. The officers engaged the woman in conversation and utilizing crisis intervention skills, were able to coax the woman from the edge of the river and they addressed her immediate concerns. The woman eventually agreed to walk away from the river’s edge voluntarily. She was transported by Captain Hann to Mosaic where she was turned over to Mosaic staff for treatment.

The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Skidmore Fire Department and first responders as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Department of Conservation.

Deputy Riley lives in Tarkio, Missouri.