Oct 20, 2016 3 min read

Split-second decisions made by two Canonsburg police officers who responded to a call a year ago about a hatchet-wielding man who reportedly wanted the officers to shoot him ended with no injuries and earned the two patrolmen honors from their peers today.

Officers Johnathon Cornell and Thomas O’Rourke will receive recognition during the Amen Corner 16th annual Sen. John Heinz Law Enforcement Awards luncheon honoring law enforcement members for bravery and going above and beyond the call of duty.

Cornell and O’Rourke had been backing up North Strabane Township police at a call at Canonsburg Hospital on Oct. 29 when they were dispatched for a report of a man wielding a machete and hatchet, swinging at people in a lot across from the Canonsburg Borough building on East Pike Street. The man, later identified as Aaron Carver of Canonsburg, was sitting on a curb in a lot behind the building off North Central Avenue.

O’Rourke, who arrived just before Cornell, said it appeared Carver had a bayonet. He got out of his cruiser about 30 feet from Carver, who stood up and ignored orders to drop the weapon.

O’Rourke drew his Taser, and Cornell pulled out his gun to back up his partner.

“He wanted us to shoot him,” Cornell said.

O’Rourke fired the Taser at Carver, who was wearing thick clothing. He had to fire the Taser three times before Carver dropped to the ground and could be safely taken into custody.

“Thank God, the Taser worked. Less than lethal is how we train,” Cornell said. “I had my handgun out, just in case.”

“It went well. We took the appropriate action at the right time,” O’Rourke said of the incident. “That is the advantage of having a partner and you know how each other will react. We work well together.”

The two were nominated for the award by police Chief Alex Coghill and Mayor David Rhome. Cornell said he is grateful for the recognition.

“Their incredibly fast action to recognize the situation for what it was and their critical thinking, they were able to save a life instead of taking one,” Coghill said. “This is a classic example how officers often have less than a split second to make a decision, but thanks to their training that were able to recognize it. Deadly force would have been justified, no question about it.”

Charges against Carver including aggravated and simple assault were dismissed in April after he successfully completed mental health treatment and classes.