Jennifer Soules

The Republic | azcentral.com

Phoenix police officers called one of their own a hero on Monday after she pulled a seated teenager back from the edge of a roof four stories off the ground in downtown Phoenix.

Officer Brandy Thwing, a 13-year veteran of the Police Department, crossed what officers described as an unstable catwalk to sneak up behind a girl, who was sitting with her feet dangling over a ledge of a Sheraton hotel restaurant at Van Buren and Third streets.

Thwing, who said she is afraid of heights, does not see herself as a hero.

"It's just in the job description," Thwing said. "I'll probably write a parking ticket next."

The girl, who was not identified, appeared to have earbuds in and did not hear Thwing approaching. As the girl reached to put her hair in a ponytail, Thwing grabbed her arms and dragged the girl away from the ledge.

It was unclear Monday why the teen took to the roof or what she was doing there. The girl was visiting from out of state with family, police said.

Thwing's partner, Officer Josh Ramos, said humility is Thwing's nature. "She was the first one in there. She got it taken care of," he said.