posted on 2/20/2025
On Thursday, Feb. 13, Police Chief William Breault recognized Officer Jonathan Palmer for his quick actions that likely saved the life of a teenager who had fallen through ice on the Cochecho River.
While patrolling the Dover Community Trail on Jan. 8, Palmer encountered a disoriented teenager in wet clothing walking in freezing conditions. The teen had fallen into the river, and the teen's clothes were beginning to freeze in temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit with winds up to 30 mph.
Palmer immediately called for medical assistance and helped the teenager reach a nearby meeting point with emergency responders. He assisted in removing the frozen clothing as the teen started to lose mobility and contacted the teen's father to bring dry clothes.
According to Dover Fire & Rescue, Palmer's timely intervention prevented what could have become a life-threatening situation as hypothermia was setting in.
