Pittsburgh officers honored for stopping knife wielding suspect

Officers honored after tasing armed suspect in violent domestic standoff

PITTSBURGH, PA – Two Zone 5 officers were formally recognized this week after disarming and safely taking into custody a man who threatened to harm himself with a knife during a violent domestic incident earlier this year.

Chief Larry Scirotto Lando and Assistant Chief Vinansky visited the Zone 5 police station to present the Pittsburgh Police Bureau Citation Award to Officers Joshua Thompson and Jacob Kosuda for their actions on Jan. 4.

According to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the officers responded to a report of a violent domestic incident where a male suspect was threatening to harm himself with a knife inside a residence.

Upon arrival, the officers developed a plan to quickly detain the individual before he could injure himself or others in the home. While one officer provided cover, the other deployed a Taser, allowing them to safely subdue the suspect and recover the weapon.

Police officials said the officers’ actions prevented the situation from escalating and ensured the safety of everyone involved.

The Pittsburgh Police Bureau Citation Award recognizes officers for notable service and actions in the line of duty.

Key Points

Officers Joshua Thompson and Jacob Kosuda received Bureau Citation Award
Incident occurred Jan. 4 during violent domestic call in Zone 5
Officers used Taser to safely disarm suspect armed with knife

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Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

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