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A police officer is being hailed a hero after stopping a man from jumping off a 13-story building’s rooftop in New Jersey in the United States.
The Atlantic City Police Department was notified of the man (name withheld) on Oct. 14, but could not pinpoint his location, it said on Facebook on Oct. 16. Moments after, they received a photograph that confirmed he was on top of the Claridge parking garage.
Officer Eric Knuttel eventually spotted the man sitting on a ledge on top of the building while speaking to someone on his cellphone. Knuttel then engaged him in conversation to convince him to get off of the ledge.
However, after 10 minutes of talking on his phone, the man became “extremely agitated” and walked toward the end of the ledge. Upon seeing this, Knuttel believed that he was going to jump and quickly rushed toward him, grabbing onto his leg.
The department also posted bodycam footage from the rescue, which showed the moment Knuttel stopped the man from jumping. After getting hold of the man’s leg, Knuttel quickly asked his fellow officers to pull them both back to safety. Meanwhile, the woman on the other end of the man’s call screamed and told the police not to hurt him.
When they brought the man back onto the rooftop, Knuttel hugged him and said: “I love you, alright? We’re gonna help you.” The police also assured the woman speaking through the cellphone that the man was safe.
Following the incident, authorities took the man to a nearby medical center for an evaluation.
Interim officer-in-charge James Sarkos later praised Knuttel and his teammates Sgt. John Waddell, Matthew Stollenwerk, Randy Rodriguez-Marte, Irwin Sanchez and Kyle Fauvell.
“I am extremely proud of the bravery and compassion shown by Officer Knuttel and the other officers for this man who was in severe emotional distress,” he said. “Their actions are indicative of the work routinely done by members of this police department.” /ra
HOW TO GET HELP
Hopeline, a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline in the Philippines, may be reached at landline numbers (02) 804-4673; and mobile numbers 0917-5584673 or 0917-5582919.
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