Chelsea Police Officers Prevent “Suicide by Cop” Scenario

Distraught Man Allegedly Assaults Police Officer

CHELSEA – Police Chief Brian Kyes reports that a police officer was assaulted in the lobby of the Chelsea Police Station over the weekend in an apparent attempt to commit “Suicide by Cop.” Officers, exercising restraint and patience, worked to deescalate the situation and successfully prevented the loss of life.

On Saturday, Nov. 28, at approximately 2:30 a.m. a male entered the lobby of the Chelsea Police Station and approached the front desk area requesting “some assistance.” The male, identified as FRANCOIS JAULIN, AGE 27, OF CHELSEA, told Officer Ed Marchese that he needed to “get something off of his chest.”

While Officer Marchese attempted to speak with him, JAULIN drew a six-inch serrated knife from his coat pocket and brandished it in an overt threatening manner toward Officer Marchese, who was standing approximately eight feet away from the suspect.

Officer Marchese drew his service weapon and ordered JAULIN to stop moving and drop the knife. Officer Marchese notified Sergeant Mike Nee and Officer Rafael Rijos, who were in the report room area next to the lobby, of the situation and the two officers responded immediately.

As officers attempted to deescalate the situation by reasoning with JAULIN to voluntarily drop his weapon, JAULIN repeatedly asked the officers to shoot him saying he didn’t want to live anymore and began re-positioning his knife. Sgt. Nee believed a potential attack was imminent and he deployed his department issued electronic control device, which struck JAULIN in the upper torso area. He was taken into custody uninjured.

JAULIN was transported to the Whidden Hospital in Everett and will undergo a psychological evaluation.

“I want to applaud the extraordinary efforts and exceptional calm and restraint exhibited by these officers, who were able to deescalate an extremely volatile situation that could have easily had a negative outcome,” Chief Kyes said. “While we always hope that we never encounter a situation like this, we have trained our officers for what seems like an endless number of potentially dangerous scenarios like this. Thanks to the collective actions and measured response of these officers, three police officers and one troubled individual are alive and able to go home to their families.”

JAULIN will be arraigned in Chelsea District Court for Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon at a later date.

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