Two Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers went from routine call to near free fall after pulling a person back from the edge of a third-floor ledge, a January rescue that has now earned them a coveted spot among Metro’s Best of the Badge honorees. Officers William Kearnes and Theodore Schaefer were singled out this week after the department shared photos and a brief rundown of what happened on its social channels.
How the Officers Stopped a Fall
According to a Facebook post by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Kearnes and Schaefer were dispatched to a call about a distressed person and arrived to find the individual standing on a third-floor ledge. The post says the officers “grabbed the person’s wrists and leaned over the edge to stop the fall,” then hauled the person back to safety.
The department said their split-second decision likely prevented a fatal plunge. The post highlighted both officers by name and included their photos as part of the recognition.
Honored at Best of the Badge
In the same post, the department named Kearnes and Schaefer “this week’s Best of the Badge honorees” and praised their courage in the face of a high-risk situation. The recognition is tied to the LVMPD Foundation’s Best of the Badge program, which shines a spotlight on officers who save lives or respond to dangerous incidents and is featured at an annual gala, according to the LVMPD Foundation. The foundation notes that proceeds from the event support training, equipment and community programs that help Metro respond to crises.
Why the Rescue Matters
Nevada continues to post higher-than-average suicide rates, and law enforcement officers are often the first ones on scene with people in crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Nevada’s age-adjusted suicide rate at nearly 21 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2022, with a small dip in 2023, according to the CDC. That context highlights why in-the-moment intervention, like grabbing someone off a ledge, can literally be the difference between life and death.
State agencies coordinate prevention and crisis efforts through the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention, which works with local partners on outreach and training.
Metro’s post described Kearnes and Schaefer as “demonstrating exceptional courage, strength, and selfless commitment to protecting others.” The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shared the account and images of the third-floor rescue as part of its ongoing Best of the Badge roll call.
