911 Call: An Arrest And a Life Saved

It was a single extraordinary 911 call to the Indian River (Fla.) Sheriff’s comm center, a man confessed to a long series of sexual assaults, but also told the dispatcher he was holding a gun and contemplating suicide. It was veteran dispatcher Pam Metzdorf who answered the call and, during a 15-minute conversation, talked humanely to Dennis Mitchell, telling him, “You need to make this the best you can,” and eventually convincing him to put down the gun and walk outside to deputies. Towards the end of the call, Metzdorf was able to elicit a promise from Mitchell that he would not shoot himself—”I have been here to help you and I want you to promise me that,” she told him. Mitchell promised her. Later, Metzdorf said it felt strange to have saved the life of a suspect, but sheriff Deryl Loar praised her effort. Watch a video report here, and listen to the remarkable telephone call. here