Murrieta Firefighter Saves Suicidal Teen

A Murrieta firefighter was thanked for his recent help in thwarting a suspected suicide attempt by a teen girl.

On the evening of April 4, a 15-year-old girl was under emotional duress when she attempted to cross Washington Avenue in Murrieta, police said. Firefighter/Paramedic Sean DeGrave was off-duty when he pulled over his car to restrain the combative girl, according to Murrieta police Sgt. Jay Froboese.

"Without his help she very well may have been hit by a car on Washington," Froboese said, in an email to Murrieta fire Chief Matt Shobert. "He took the time to stop and chase her down. He restrained her so she could not harm herself."

Froboese credited DeGrave with turning the situation from a potentially fatal traffic collision into a simple transport for evaluation.

Shobert recognized DeGrave not only for his quick work in the critical situation, but for his overall contributions to the community.

A cancer survivor, DeGrave is member of the 12-person Murrieta Fire Department Ironman Team. The team completed the arduous California Ironman event March 31 in Oceanside, with their driving force to raise funds for cancer support.

"Perhaps his Ironman training paid off here," Shobert said.

DeGrave also spearheads the Fire Department's "Think First" program, designed to help youth make positive choices in life, Shobert said.

"I would like to acknowledge Sean’s off-duty efforts," Shobert said. "He is an excellent firefighter for MFD and a better community resident."