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WHEREAS, in our turbulent world, sometimes ordinary people do extraordinary things. Born and raised in Hazelwood, Tobias “Toby” Coleman is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Point Park University and has been a Corrections Officer at the Allegheny County Jail for 4 years; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Coleman’s daily routine before work includes a stop at the CoGo’s on Beechwood Boulevard and Greenfield Avenues to buy an iced tea. On July 24, 2018, upon entering the establishment, Officer Coleman encountered an assault on the CoGo’s store clerk taking place., and he sprang into action; and,
WHEREAS, without concern for his own personal safety, Officer Coleman and another customer moved to assist the 27-year old store clerk from a knife attack by an older man wielding two machetes. Officer Coleman restrained the suspect, and in spite of the machete and a large loss of blood from the victim, was able to extract the suspect from the victim with proper restraint techniques and hold him until City of Pittsburgh Police arrived; and,
WHEREAS, in spite of the fact that Officer Toby Coleman is licensed to carry a firearm, he instantly chose to use proper physical restraint on the suspect instead of placing the victim, who was underneath the suspect, and other customers at risk from firing his weapon; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend Office Toby Coleman for his quick thinking, his sound judgement, his instinct to always do the right thing and his use of proper techniques learned in the course of his exemplary career as a Allegheny County Corrections Officer to save the life of another human being; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, January 8, 2019, to be “OFFICER TOBY COLEMAN DAY” in the City of Pittsburgh.