UND police officer, civilian honored for life-saving actions on University Avenue overpass
Quick action by officer and passerby prevents tragedy on I-29 overpass
A UND police officer and a civilian were honored Thursday for their roles in preventing a potential tragedy on a Grand Forks overpass.
Cpl. Jose Solis of the UND Police Department and Matthew Smith each received the department’s Life Saving Medal for their actions on July 17, 2025, when they intervened to stop an individual from jumping from the University Avenue overpass above Interstate 29.
Smith, originally from Fargo, lived in Alaska with his wife, Amber, and their child while she was stationed there in the U.S. Air Force. After she was transferred to Grand Forks Air Force Base, the family chose to remain in the region.
“This is something special,” said Rodney E. Clark, associate vice president for Public Safety and chief of the UND police. “We had two men come together on this day, basically to make a situation better. They saw something that was wrong, and they tried to make it right.”
According to a citation read during the ceremony, Solis was dispatched to a disturbance call on the overpass, approximately 40 to 50 feet above the interstate. Upon arrival, he learned from a civilian already on scene that a young man was attempting to jump.
As the individual tried to move toward the edge, Solis intervened, and prevented him from falling. He was able to gain control and hold the individual until additional officers and paramedics arrived.
During the incident, Solis reassured the individual, telling him “Help is on the way,” before accompanying him to Altru Hospital.
Reflecting on the incident, Solis said his focus was immediate.
“It happened so quickly that didn’t really think much about anything except the fact that I wanted to get the individual away from the edge of the bridge,” he said.
“It’s just so significant, because in this line of work, you see a lot of self-harm,” Solis added. “So just to get in that step, to try to get them in the right direction for help, it’s just a major impact for me, emotionally and spiritually, and it helps bring some life back to the officer as a person.”
Smith, who was on scene before officers arrived, was also recognized for stepping in to help — something Clark noted is not always common.
“Someone that didn’t have to intervene, but did,” Clark said. “We definitely appreciate when they do.”
Smith described his actions as instinctive.
“That day was just kind of a reaction, just to somebody that needed help and just wanted to do what I could,” he said. “As soon as I saw him, I immediately stopped the truck to come out to help him out.
“I just didn’t want to see him jump off the bridge,” he added.
Clark emphasized the importance of community members working alongside law enforcement in moments like these.
“The public is the police and the police are the public,” he said.
In addition to the life-saving awards, the department also recognized Sgt. Sean Thompson as UND Police Officer of the Year. A sergeant and bomb technician, Thompson was honored for his professionalism, leadership and dedication to both the department and the community.
“Sgt. Thompson exemplifies what it means to be a professional in law enforcement,” Clark said. “He serves this department not only as a sergeant, but as a bomb technician, a mentor and a leader who consistently sets the standard for others to follow.”
The ceremony, held at the UND Police Department, brought together officers, staff and family members to recognize actions that Clark said reflect “the finest traditions of law enforcement service.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Kurtz, adam.kurtz.1@UND.edu
