Fond du Lac Police officer saves man who lit himself on fire

A City of Fond du Lac Police officer possibly saved the life of a man that set himself on fire yesterday during a mental health incident.

At 4:44 PM the officer was in the 300 block of north Peters Avenue investigating a minor vehicle crash when he was approached by an individual that told the officer another man had just poured gasoline on himself near St Vincent De Paul. At that point, the officer radioed into dispatch to advise of the new call.

While in contact with dispatch, the officer stated the man had just lit himself on fire and requested the Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Department.

The officer quickly grabbed the man on fire and pulled him into a nearby snowbank, grabbing handfuls of snow to smother the fire.

The 40-year-old Outagamie County resident was treated at the scene by City of Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue and transported to SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital for burns on the lower portion of his body.

The Fond du Lac Police Department Community Response Social Worker responded to the hospital to provide support and services to the man.

The Fond du Lac Police Department has provided a list of resources to contact If you are having thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

If you are in imminent danger or experiencing a medical emergency call 9-1-1.

Otherwise call the Fond du Lac County Crisis Line at 920-929-3535 or 9-8-8 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Fond du Lac County Crisis Line and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provide free and confidential support for anyone experiencing a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis.

To reach out to the Fond du Lac Police Department Co-Response Team call the Fond du Lac County Communications Center non-emergency line at 920-906-5555.