Man Almost Killed Himself in Ocean, But Avalon Cop Brings Him to Safety

AVALON — A man who threatened to harm himself on the beach early Sunday morning was brought to safety after being pulled from the water by a local cop.

The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Sunday on the 16th Street beach. Rather than turning around when he saw police arrive, the man continued to go into the water, telling the officers to stay away. After Officer Mark Glassford determined the man was unarmed, he followed the man into the water and convinced him to return to the shore, officials said.

Once back on land, the man refused to get further medical attention unless Glassford went with him, according to the department.

Mayor Martin Paglughi thanked Glassford and Officer Matthew Ardelean for "their proactive, compassionate approach towards helping this individual in need."

The man, who was not identified, was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center but was not injured during the incident, the department said.