BERRRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- The Berrien County Sheriff's Office announced five deputies were awarded for their actions taken on Mar. 5 which resulted in the rescue of a woman who was attempting suicide.

On the evening of Mar. 5, Deputies Wesley Marcellus, Brian Root, Ethan Zeiger, Marcus Chartrand, and Lukas Runser responded to Arthur Dodd Memorial Park in Cass County for call of a woman attempting suicide with a rope around her neck and had poured gasoline on herself with the intent of setting herself on fire and hanging herself.

Deputies arrived to find the woman on the north end of the park under a pavilion, where she had a green extension cord wrapped around her neck from the rafters of the pavilion.

Deputies say she was standing on a step stool, with a gas can on the ground, and gas on the concrete below her.

Root began negotiating with her while trying to calm her down in an attempt to develop a rapport with her.

The woman yelled at the deputies to stay away, or she would light herself on fire.

Root then noticed the lighter wouldn't light due to strong wind at the time. Root used his flashlight to distract her, so she couldn't see what was going on around her.

This allowed Marcellus to get closer to her.

Runser, having the forethought to grab a fire extinguisher, stood by in case she was able to set the fire.

Marcellus then had the other deputies turn off their flashlights so she couldn't see him as he approached her. Marcellus observed the woman had put the lighter in her pocket and was attempting to tighten the cord around her neck.

Berrien County Sheriff Charles E. Heit says Marcellus demonstrated courage as he rushed the woman and held her up, not allowing her to hang.

Root then helped hold her off the ground as Chartrand and Zeiger were able to cut the extension cord.

The deputies were able to guide the woman to the ground and attempted to keep her calm until the ambulance arrived.

Root and Marcellus were awarded the Meritorious Service Award for putting themselves in harm’s way while demonstrating courage in which resulted in the life-saving measure of the woman.

Chartrand and Zeiger were awarded the Life Saving/Bravery Award for putting themselves in danger while assisting in the life-saving measure of the woman.

Runser was awarded the Certificate of Commendation for his forward thinking of having a fire extinguisher ready to assist in the life-saving of the individual or officers if she was able light the gasoline on fire.