Photo provided Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty, at right, and his Chief Deputy Sam Robinson, at left, give Medal of Merit awards to Sgt. Bob Zirkle, second from left, and Deputy Landon Handzus for their bravery during a recent call to service.

MOUNDSVILLE — The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office recently honored a pair of deputies for what it called a “commendable display of bravery and professionalism” during an August incident.

Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty honored both Sgt. Bob Zirkle and Deputy Landon Handzus with the Medal of Merit following their response to a critical incident Aug. 25, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Medal of Merit serves to acknowledge the outstanding service and performance exhibited by Marshall County deputies in the line of duty, Dougherty said.

Responding to a report of a suicidal man, both deputies arrived on the scene to find the individual inside a vehicle, brandishing a handgun. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Zirkle engaged in conversation with the distressed individual in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Meanwhile, Handzus maneuvered closer to the suspect, remaining out of sight, and successfully deployed his taser, enabling Zirkle to secure the weapon and handcuff the individual.

Thanks to the quick actions and effective teamwork of Zirkle and Handzus, a potential tragedy was averted, and the man was safely transported to a mental hygiene facility for care.

“The teamwork, bravery, and professionalism exhibited by Sgt. Zirkle and Deputy Handzus directly prevented a tragedy and undoubtedly saved a man’s life,” Dougherty said.

“Their actions are a testament to the exceptional deputies of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and we are proud to recognize their commitment to serving and protecting our community.”