WEST PITTSTON — Larry VanMeter will never forget his encounter with borough police officer Eric Eramo because it was the day Eramo saved his life.
Eramo stopped VanMeter, 53, from jumping off the Water Street Bridge. Eramo was honored at Tuesday night’s council meeting for his heroics.
“It’s extremely important,” Mayor Tom Blaskiewicz said of recognizing Eramo. “You have to celebrate successes, and our police officers go above and beyond everyday.
“When you get the chance to celebrate moments like this, you have to do it.”
Also on hand was police Sgt. Michael Turner.
On Jan. 26, Eramo, an officer for three years, responded to the call of a man on the Water Street Bridge. He found VanMeter, of Exeter, on the brink of jumping off the bridge and into the Susquehanna River.
He said his training immediately kicked in.
“I rely heavy on my training,” he said. “All I use is my training, and it’s gotten me this far.
“And I’m here to serve and protect. I wanted to protect this man.”
According to a prepared statement Blaskiewicz read, Eramo talked to VanMeter in an attempt to get him to get back onto the bridge, but he eventually had to grab him and pull him back.
Eramo said he tried to connect with VanMeter and talk about anything he could to bring him back on the bridge.
“I was just trying to find out what he likes,” he said. “I like to pick obvious ones like sports, music or anything to get him to calm down and relate to him. Once he saw me, and I’ve had past experiences with him before, we had that connection.”
Eramo said he knows VanMeter from working with the Exeter Borough Police Department and that he’s just seen him around the area.
VanMeter was in attendance at the meeting and said he will forever be grateful of Eramo.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I just felt he needs to be recognized because most guys probably would’ve let me go. He saved my life, man. He’s my hero and my guardian angel.”
In other news, council President Judy Aita said a theft occurred at the borough’s historic house on Susquehanna Avenue. The house is scheduled to be demolished, but it was hoped several items could be saved.
Aita said a call was placed to the police department, and anyone with information on the theft is asked to do the same.
