2023 -- H 6265

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LC002636

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING NEWPORT PATROLMAN MARK LUBIN FOR SAVING A PERSON FROM

COMMITTING SUICIDE ON THE NEWPORT PELL BRIDGE

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Abney, Solomon, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Kennedy, Edwards, Ajello, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: April 06, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Newport Police Department Patrolman Mark Lubin, a 2015 graduate of the

Roger Williams University’s Criminal Justice program, and a six-year veteran of the Newport

Police Department, was working his usual shift when he received an urgent call from another

police department warning of a possible suicidal person near the Newport Pell Bridge; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, Officer Lubin spotted the person, who was racing

towards the bridge in his car at high speed. On the bridge, the driver stopped his car, ran to the

side of the bridge and lifted his leg over the railing to jump. In response, Officer Lubin jumped

out of his car and ran toward the man, pleading with him not to jump. A tense standoff ensued

with Officer Lubin attempting to pull the distraught man off the bridge, with the man pleading to

be left alone; and

     WHEREAS, The standoff became a wrestling match on the railing of the bridge until

backup arrived. Thankfully, officers were able to pull the man off the bridge and save his life; and

     WHEREAS, Officer Lubin talked extensively with the depressed gentleman at the

hospital and had great empathy for him. Officer Lubin stated that he learned to have great

patience while dealing with those struggling with mental and behavioral health issues in part due

to his brother’s struggles with autism and being nonverbal; and

     WHEREAS, According to Captain Kevin Moreira, Patrol Commander, one in five calls

to the Newport Police Department relates to a mental or behavioral health issue, with this statistic

aligning with data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which

shows that one in five people suffer from a substance use or mental health disorder, and only one

in four of those people get professional help; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

honors and thanks Newport Police Department Patrolman Mark Lubin for his heroic actions that

saved the life of a man on the Newport Pell Bridge, and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Newport Patrolman, Mark Lubin.

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LC002636

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