Caught On Camera: OKC Officers Rescue Man Experiencing Mental Health Crisis From City Bridge

A life was saved on an Oklahoma City bridge, and it was all caught on camera.

“Going northbound on 233 to Broadway Extension is going to have to find a different route. This is going to be closed down for quite some time,” said Jim Gardner in SkyNews 9.

It was a Thursday afternoon, April 1, officers responded to a man experiencing a mental health crisis on the bridge near the Broadway Extension and Britton Rd.

“Talk to him and get his name, what is going on? What can we do to help them at that point?” said Officer Cody Southerland.

“He had his legs over the edge, he had his hands on the barrier and he disappeared for a while,” said Sgt. Mark Solano, the other OCPD officer who responded.

In the bodycam video one officer can be seen rushing to the ledge when he can't see the man's hands.

“Once he looked at everybody his face changed and then he bent down one more time and decided to let go with one, once that hand came off, I decided to take off after him,” said Southerland.

Solano ran after Southerland and grabbed the man’s hands. With help from other officers, they were able to pull the man up and place him on the concrete.

After the incident they spoke with the man’s family and were able to safely get him to a hospital and start the process to getting him the help he needed.

“I think if we would have rushed it rather than taking our time slowly, he may have done something he didn’t really want to do. I think he really wanted help, he just felt alone,” said Southerland.

It is our policy to provide resources for anybody considering self-harm when reporting about a situation involving suicide or a suicide attempt. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.

The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) connect veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.