Lockport court officers to be honored for roles in Big Bridge incident

Ben Joe, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
·2 min read

Apr. 23—LOCKPORT — Court Officer Benjamin Farley, 38, said there wasn't anything particular going through his mind when he saw a man standing on the wrong side of the railing on the Big Bridge at Niagara Street. He immediately walked over and secured his arm around the individual.

"I was walking back from my car and for whatever reason, I was almost to the door (into city hall and City Court) and I looked to my right and saw somebody climbing over the fence on the bridge," Farley said.

This happened at approximately 11 a.m. March 28. Farley said he radioed his fellow court officers inside as he approached the man, saying, "Hey! Hey!" before wrapping his arm around him.

"I just grabbed him," he said. "I don't think there was a struggle, but I just grabbed him."

Court Officer Jack Carson, 50, was right behind Farley.

"As soon as I heard it on the radio, I called Lockport Police on my phone and ran out there," Carson said.

The two held the man until officers arrived.

Neither Farley nor Carson, who both work for the state court system, ever imagined being involved in an intervention like that.

Carson, of Lockport, previously worked for the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Carson said he didn't do much but hold on to the man at the bridge. He said Farley had developed a rapport with the man, although Farley says he doesn't really remember.

"I was just trying to distract him, draw his attention elsewhere. I think I might've asked him his name or his age, but that was about it," Farley said.

Carson and Farley both will be honored during the Common Council's Wednesday meeting, along with Lockport Police Lt. Toby Trowbridge, who responded to Carson's call and helped the court officers lift the man to the safe side of the railing.

Captain Eileen Murray of the 8th Judicial District said the district security coordinator, Chief Tom Ciesla, was "very proud of the officers and not at all surprised by their actions."

"They're very highly trained and both officers are good, hardworking officers with a good reputation," she said.