Are there any other documented accounts of his run-ins with the law? This one sounds like he was trying to prevent a jumping and got dick treatment from a vindictive law enforcement officer with whom he was previously acquainted.
There's nothing wrong with a good civil courage, but I think he has the problem any vigilante has: He sees his call for action everywhere there is the slightest trouble, where in most cases it plain is not his business to interfere.
If the guy really wants to do good to the public, there's this job called "policeman" that makes a profession out of it.
rumborak