SACO — A former resident and members of the police department were recently honored for their help in saving a woman who had fallen into the Saco River.

Around 6 a.m. on Oct. 30, then-Saco resident Michelle Charleson was walking her dog on Water Street when she heard a person calling for help in the vicinity of the Elm Street bridge over the Saco River, according to a press release from the Saco Police Department. Charleson heeded those calls, and notified the police.

Several officers came to the scene and discovered a 31-year-old woman had fallen into the river, and the officers were able to rescue her, according to the press release.

On March 9, Police Chief Bradley Paul, along with several members of the police department, met with Charleson as she received a police department challenge coin and a special commendation certificate in recognition of her assistance to the department upon hearing calls for help by a person in distress.

“In today’s day and age, many people would have kept on walking,” said the Saco Police Department. “Michelle, however, took the very first step in a process that ultimately resulted in the rescue of a person who may otherwise have drowned without her efforts. We recognize and applaud her efforts on behalf of her fellow citizens.”.

Members of the Saco Police Department, Cpl. Kyle Moody, Sgt. Daniel Beaulieu, Officer Matthew Corbin and Officer Matthew Roberts were acknowledged by Mayor Don Pilon at the March 16 City Council meeting for their work to help save the woman’s life.