HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 04 Citizen Recognition - PoliceSpringfield Upbeat
June 15, 2015
Citizen Recognition: Police
Italo Dominic Fortier
On April 19, 2015 Mr. Fortier and his wife were traveling eastbound on MLK where it crosses
Interstate 5. They observed a female who had scaled the pedestrian barrier cyclone fence on the
bridge and was near the top. Mr. Fortier and his wife stopped their vehicle. He contacted the
female and was able to engage her in conversation and talk her into coming down off the fence.
Mr. Fortier was then able to talk the distraught female into walking to a safer location until
police arrived on scene. The suicidal female was ultimately transported to a local hospital for a
mental health evaluation. One of the responding officers believes that Mr. Fortier’s willingness
to take action may have saved this woman’s life. As a result, the City of Springfield and the
Springfield Police Department would like to recognize Mr. Fortier for his actions.
Claire Eugene Holland, Steven Richard Wooley, Bradley Hale Christopher
On March 11, 2015, a lone gunman walked into Albertsons on Main Street near 58th. The
suspect, who was wearing a ski mask and brandishing a handgun, approached the counter of the
US Bank branch located within the store. There were numerous customers and employees
within the store/bank. Mr. Holland, who was standing in a nearby grocery check-out line,
observed the suspect “flashing” the gun around and noticed that the suspect pulled the trigger.
Mr. Holland realized the gun didn’t fire and believed the suspect was brandishing a pellet gun.
Mr. Holland charged the suspect and placed him in a choke hold and took the suspect to the
ground. Two other store customers, Wooley and Christopher, assisted in restraining the suspect
until police arrived and took the suspect into custody.
Normally, Authorities don’t recommend taking physical actions beyond self-defense, when
encountering an armed and violent offender. In this case, the citizens who sprang into action
truly saved the day.
The suspect has since pled guilty and has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the
robbery.
The City of Springfield and the Springfield Police Department would like to recognize Mr.
Holland, Mr. Wooley and Mr. Christopher for their heroic actions.