SEDGWICK COUNTY —A quick thinking school resource officer is being credited with saving the life of a Kansas teen.
Just after 3p.m. Thursday, a 14-year-old boy made statements to the staff at East High School in Wichita indicating he wanted to harm himself and possibly end his life with a knife, according to officer Charley Davidson.
The boy then ran off school property and the Wichita police school resource officer was asked to help. The officer contacted the boy in a nearby neighborhood and saw that the boy was now armed with a knife and raised it toward the officer, according to Davidson.
The officer used time and distance and continued to talk to the boy. The officer was ultimately able to deescalate the situation and have the boy put the knife down.
Authorities transported the boy to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. There were no injuries. The boy did not have the knife at school.
If you or anyone you know has suicidal thoughts, Davidson suggests calling 911 or call a national resource line at 1-800-273-TALK(8255)