SHUTESBURY — Moments before a Danvers resident appeared ready to end his own life on the morning of Jan. 1, a Shutesbury police sergeant located the man’s vehicle parked off Route 202 and engaged in a conversation that convinced him to remain alive, and then be brought to a hospital for needed physical and mental help.

“I’m glad I was able to get there in time, be of service and do what I love, which is helping people,” Sgt. Devon Pelletier said in a phone interview Wednesday, a week after the morning incident on New Year’s Day.

At Tuesday’s Selectboard meeting, Police Chief Kristin Burgess presented Pelletier a commendation for exceptional service for his lifesaving efforts, coming on a holiday when he wasn’t originally scheduled to work.

“I find it extremely commendable and, frankly, feel super proud of it,” Burgess said.

The commendation calls what Pelletier did “an act of extraordinary compassion,” and Burgess read its text into the record at the meeting.

“Demonstrating exceptional courage, decisiveness and empathy, Sgt. Pelletier intervened swiftly and effectively, ultimately saving the individual’s life. Through his actions, Sgt. Pelletier displayed not only a commitment to the preservation of life but also the highest values of law enforcement service. His ability to remain composed under the immense pressure, coupled with his empathetic approach, exemplifies the profound impact that the dedicated and compassionate officer can have on the community they serve.”

The commendation goes on to note that the incident is a reminder of how law enforcement plays a vital role in safeguarding the well-being of everyone, whether they are residents or visitors to town.

Burgess said the Selectboard signed onto the commendation and expressed similar appreciation for Pelletier’s efforts.

Selectboard Co-Chair Melissa Makepeace-O’Neil thanked Pelletier, Burgess and the police overall, noting that the results of a police study committee showed that townspeople wanted a town police department.

“The community overwhelmingly wanted to have our own police department, that is the reason why,” Makepeace-O’Neil said.

Burgess said being able to be proactive to save a life and have an opportunity to make a difference isn’t always the case for an officer. “It is often when we get to a tragedy afterwards,” Burgess said.

Pelletier heard the emergency dispatching scanner to be on the lookout for the man, who had made suicidal threats via text, but with scant information didn’t know what to expect if he encountered him. But locating the man’s vehicle in a pull-off a bit north of the Pelham town line, he was ready to act.

“When I arrived on the scene and identified it as the vehicle, I got him to roll down the window and just started talking to him,” Pelletier said.

He didn’t worry for his own well-being, and as he spoke to the man, he alerted State Police and paramedics who arrived a short time later. All told, Pelletier was at the scene for about an hour.

Burgess said the department generally serves Shutesbury from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and officers are ready for the situations they might encounter.

“It’s about having officers who can reason with people,” Burgess said. “It’s never a rush. Sgt. Pelletier took the time to make the connections.”

Burgess also praised the Shelburne Control Dispatch Center, which provided Pelletier with information and relayed details of what was happening.