State trooper at Southington honored for saving suicidal man

Staff report

SOUTHINGTON

Trooper Daniel J. Dubelko of the Southington post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol has been honored for subduing a man trying to harm himself, most likely saving his life.

He was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by Capt. Chris J. Zurcher, Cleveland District commander.

On Dec. 27, 2013, at 1:04 a.m., the Southington post was advised to be on the lookout for a suicidal male driving a gold Ford Escape on state Route 46. Trooper Dubelko located the vehicle traveling northbound and followed it as the driver pulled into the parking lot of a local hotel. As the driver exited the vehicle, Dubelko made contact with him.

The driver consented to a pat-down, but started to reach into his right coat pocket. Dubelko removed his hand from the pocket and ordered him to stop moving. Instead, the driver put his hand in his left coat pocket. Dubelko subdued and handcuffed him without incident.

When Dubelko found a loaded handgun in the driver’s coat pocket, the driver stated he had intended to check in to the hotel and commit suicide.

When asked about reaching for the weapon, the man said he did not want to go back to the hospital and he was going to shoot himself or make the trooper do it to avoid going back.

The driver was transported to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

Dubelko joined the patrol in March 2006 and was assigned to the Norwalk post. In 2008, he transferred to the Canfield post. Several months later, he transferred to the Southington post, where he earned the Certificate of Recognition in 2009 and the post and district Trooper of the Year in 2010.

In 2011, he transferred to the Ashtabula post, before returning to his most recent assignment at the Southington post in 2013.