03/25/2026
Legacy Behavioral Health is incredibly proud to work alongside the Valdosta Police Department through our Co-Responder Program—bringing compassionate, real-time mental health support to those in crisis.
Following the recent response shared by the Valdosta Police Department, we are grateful to be part of a coordinated effort that prioritizes safety, de-escalation, and care. Situations like these highlight the power of collaboration between law enforcement, first responders, and behavioral health professionals to achieve peaceful resolutions and connect individuals to the help they need.
Our Co-Responder Program is designed to reduce unnecessary arrests, provide immediate mental health intervention, and ensure individuals in crisis are met with understanding and support. We are honored to stand beside our community partners in making a meaningful difference—one life, one response at a time.
A coordinated response by our officers, first responders, and mental health partners, led to the safe resolution of a stressful situation.
On March 24, 2026, at 11:25 a.m., the Valdosta Police Department, Valdosta Fire Department, and South Georgia Medical Center Emergency Medical Services responded to an address in the 800 block of East Park Avenue after several calls were received at E911 about a 36-year-old male threatening to harm himself.
When officers arrived at the house, they made verbal contact with the male, who told them he had weapons and that he would not open the door. He made comments that if police entered the house, he would hurt himself.
The Valdosta Police Department activated its Crisis Negotiations Unit. A co-responder from behavioral health also responded to the scene.
Negotiators spoke with the male for almost three hours, at which time the male agreed to exit the house. Officers were able to detain him without further incident.
South Georgia Medical Center EMS treated him at the scene for superficial injuries that he had caused to himself. Officers then transported the male to S.G.M.C. for evaluation.
There were no further injuries reported at the scene.
“I am proud of the professionalism shown by everyone involved,” said Chief Leslie Manahan. “From securing the scene from onlookers to the work of our negotiators, this was a disciplined response that resulted in a safe outcome and an opportunity for this individual to receive critical mental health support. This is an example of great teamwork between our first responders and our mental health partners, to peacefully end a stressful situation.”
