WSP gives Vancouver man rare civilian Award of Merit

Michael Trottier was on his way to work in December, heading west on state Highway 500, when he spotted a female trooper pulling a man back from an overpass railing.

Without thinking, the Vancouver man pulled over to help.

While Washington State Patrol Sgt. Jody Metz engaged with the man, Trottier approached from behind. Then, the man tried to jump again.

Fifteen years of martial arts training kicked in, Trottier said, and he and Metz grabbed the man and the three went to the ground.

Once Metz and Trottier had subdued the man, they realized they were covered in blood and quickly learned the man had cut himself and was armed with a knife.

“It was obvious that he was trying to jump over. What wasn’t obvious was that he had a knife,” Trottier said. Looking back on it now, Trottier said, “it wouldn’t have changed my decision.”

Because of his actions, Trottier received the Award of Merit from the Washington State Patrol at the agency’s District 5 Headquarters in Vancouver Friday morning during the agency’s annual awards event.

The award he received is a rare one — given out to civilians who endanger themselves in an attempt to take lifesaving action, preventing a serious crime or affecting an arrest of a dangerous felon.

Washington State Patrol Capt. James Riley said that in his 26-year career, they’ve given out the award only a couple of times.

“I’ve never had a citizen help me hands-on like that,” he said.

What made the situation even more unique, Riley said, is that the intervention had a serious impact.

“The coolest part of this award is two-pronged,” Riley said. “He not only assisted the trooper in helping them stay safe, he also assisted a citizen in saving his life.”

Trottier said his only thought when he pulled over was that the man was bigger than the trooper and that she might not have had time to call for help.

“I was there because there was an officer that didn’t have backup,” he said. From there, Trottier said, “you don’t even think, you just let your body do what it’s trained to do.”

Trottier said that he appreciates the recognition, but that he’s mostly happy with the safe outcome of the situation.

“I didn’t do it for an award,” he said. “I’m happy that the family of the person who tried to commit suicide still has him; hopefully he’s getting the treatment that he needs.”