CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Quick actions by Clearlake Police officers are believed to have made the difference between life and death for a man who attempted to commit suicide Monday afternoon.

Officers found the 39-year-old man – whose name was not released – attempting to hang himself in a shed and were able to cut him down before he died, according to a Monday afternoon report.

At approximately 12:48 p.m. Monday the officers responded to a welfare check on a reported suicidal male subject at an address located in the 14200 block of Alvita Avenue, police reported.

The agency said that a concerned family member called the Clearlake Police Department asking for a welfare check after receiving concerning text messages from the male subject.  

Sgt. Rodd Joseph and Officer Andy Adams arrived at the residence in less than four minutes from the initial call, according to the police report.

When Joseph and Adams arrived, the report said they heard commotion in an unattached shed then heard the sounds consistent with a person choking. They found the front shed door locked and began trying to force entry, believing the man had possibly hung himself.  

Joseph and Adams managed to locate a barricaded opening at the rear of the shed. The report said they forced their way into the shed and found the male subject unconscious and hanging from a rope around his neck.

Adams managed to cut the male down using his pocket knife, and the report said that he and Joseph provided first aid to the man and requested medical personnel to the scene.

Lake County Fire Protection District personnel arrived and transported the man to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake for further medical and mental health evaluation. Police said the man is expected to survive, and the quick actions of the officers likely saved his life.

The Clearlake Police Department encourages calls for welfare checks when citizens believe they are warranted but would also like to encourage citizens to call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline if needed at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).