Heroic Deputies Honored by City for Making A Difference

Four Orange County Sheriff Deputies who played a role in tackling a man on the Tijeras Creek bridge to keep him from jumping were commended at the beginning of the City Council meeting of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Standing in front of the dais alongside RSM chief of police services Lt. Brian Schmutz, Mayor Tony Beall relayed the act of heroism that saved a 21-year-old man from jumping off the bridge in front of his father.

Beall told the story that included Felipe Martinez tackling the man—who was standing on a narrow ledge on the outside of the bridge—while Mike Stout distracted him.

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They, along with Dung Truong and Sgt. Mike Pixomatis, were credited with the life-saving team effort.

"We want to commend each of you for your quick actions and excellent judgment in this potentially tragic situation," Beall said. "It's a shining example of the quality of the Orange County Sheriff Department personnel who serve our city."

It was the second time in three months that Stout had been involved in a bridge rescue of a despondent resident.

Schmutz said that anyone in America who wears the uniform does so because they want to make a difference, and that was certainly the case here.

"Essentially they made a flying tackle on this young man who was going to jump off a bridge in front of his father, and so not only saving the life of the young mand but sparing the family from all of the pain they would have gone through otherwise," Schmutz said. "I'm very grateful to be their lieutenant and to work alongside them."