Harckham Honors Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Osika for Heroism

Senator Pete Harckham, 40th Senate District, honored Deputy Kevin Osika from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, as his First Responder of the Month, at a brief ceremony at the Sheriff’s Department Office in Carmel. The Deputy was recognized for saving the life of a suicidal man who was poised to jump off of a bridge over State Route 6 near I-84.

“Deputy Osika embodies all of the traits of a well-trained, compassionate Sheriff’s Deputy,” said Harckham. “He went above and beyond the call of duty, placing his own life at risk, to save a distraught man who was preparing to jump from a bridge, when he responded to the 911 call last spring. His heroism makes him my choice for First Responder of the Month for September, 2019. Thank you, Deputy Osika, for your selfless act that saved a life.” 

On May 27th, Deputy Osika responded to a 911 call about a man who had parked his car on the westbound side of I-84 and was walking toward the edge of a bridge over State Route 6. When the Deputy arrived, he saw the man standing on the edge of the bridge and it appeared he was about to jump off. The Deputy cautiously approached the man from behind, grabbed him and wrestled him to the ground, saving his life. A suicide note was found in the man’s possession.

Sheriff Robert L. Langley, Jr., Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said, “Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika is an exemplary example of the caliber of the men and women working at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.  He acted with no regard to himself in order to save the life of another and we are all proud of his selfless act.” 

Captain Harry J. Tompkins, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said, “Deputy Osika continues to demonstrate his dedication, loyalty and service to the residents of Putnam County and once again has risen to the occasion in the way we expect our deputies to. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department is very proud to have such an invaluable employee as Deputy Osika.”