In the quiet early-morning hours, first responders showed exactly why calm voices and patience can save lives.
Around 2:45 a.m., dispatchers with the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office received a deeply troubling call from Shady Pines Campground. A distraught woman told 911 she believed she was a danger to herself and others. She made alarming claims about past events, spoke at length about conspiracies, and told the dispatcher she had a loaded firearm inside her residence.
Rather than escalating the situation, dispatch did the opposite.
Calm Voices in the Dark
As the woman grew more distressed, she began praying over the phone and asked the dispatcher to pray with her. The dispatcher stayed composed, reassuring her again and again:
“Whatever will help you, we’re going to do. You pray as much as you need to.”
When the woman said she thought she might need to talk to someone in person, dispatch didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely,” the dispatcher told her. “It’s different when you talk to someone face-to-face.”
Little by little, the woman began to calm down.
Measured, Careful Response
Deputies responded to the campground while EMS staged nearby, waiting until officers confirmed it was safe to approach. There were no rushed movements, no shouting, no unnecessary force—just careful coordination and patience.
When deputies made contact, the woman willingly agreed to go with the squad for help. Officers collected a few personal belongings, checking them carefully to ensure everyone’s safety, and helped her transition into medical care without incident.
This Is What Crisis Response Looks Like
What unfolded overnight wasn’t dramatic in the way people expect police calls to be—but it was profoundly important.
- Dispatchers listened instead of interrupting
- They met fear with reassurance
- Deputies prioritized safety and dignity
- EMS stood ready, not rushing the scene
This was de-escalation done right—a reminder that many emergency calls aren’t about crime, but about human beings at their breaking point.
Credit Where It’s Due
From the dispatcher who stayed on the line and helped steady a spiraling caller, to the deputies and medics who ensured a safe, respectful outcome, this response was a master class in crisis intervention.
In a moment where things could have gone very wrong, first responders made sure they went exactly right—and a woman who asked for help got it.