Caserta Firefighter Recognized for Saving Man from Suicide

On January 29, 2021, he saved a person from suicide, but he didn't want to be saved, so much so that he had to fight to prevent the would-be suicide from carrying out his plan. He is Firefighter Gianfranco Leonetti, serving at the Caserta Provincial Command, where he is coordinator.

Leonetti was awarded for this life-saving intervention in Naples, at the Aula Magna of the School of Medicine and Surgery of the Federico II University, where the Giuseppe Salvia National Award was held, in the presence of the Undersecretary of the Interior Emanuele Prisco, the regional director of the Campania Fire Brigade Emanuele Franculli, the commander of Caserta Paolo Massimi, and civil and military authorities, awarded to members of the Armed Forces and other State Corps who have particularly distinguished themselves in favor of the community and the vulnerable.

Leonetti was also injured after the operation, because he had to engage in a fierce fight with the would-be suicide, a 38-year-old resident of Caserta who had also announced to a relative on WhatsApp his desire to end it all; the man wanted to throw himself into the void from his balcony and threatened to pull Leonetti himself down with him; however, Leonetti managed to immobilize him and save him.

For his heroic gesture, the city of Caserta has already awarded the firefighter a solemn commendation. The head of the National Fire Brigade Corps also complimented Leonetti "for the praiseworthy skills demonstrated and for the positive return of image for the Corps".