North Charleston officer to receive ‘Lifesaving Award’ for helping person during mental health incident

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – An officer with the North Charleston Police Department will receive special recognition Monday morning.

Sgt. Diego Lizarazo, who saved a man last month on the Ashley Phosphate Road/I-26 overpass, will be honored with the department’s Lifesaving Award.

Dash camera footage from the agency showed Sgt. Lizarazo responding to a mental health emergency on the overpass.

“This reminded me that listening without judgment, offering support, and taking action was what I needed to do to help this individual,” said Sgt. Lizarazo, following the incident.

The recognition will come as the North Charleston Police Department and Chief Ron Camacho swear in seven new officers joining the department.

Chief Camacho will also honor the Spanish-speaking officers and civilians who taught the recent Citizens Police Academy class.

The ceremony will get underway at 10 a.m.

If you or anyone you know are in need of help, you can dial 988 from any phone for the suicide and crisis lifeline. Your conversations are free and confidential, and the hotline is available at any time.