Officers talk man out of jumping off Armory Street bridge in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Several officers with the Springfield Police Department are being recognized for working together to save a life.

According to the Springfield Police Department, on August 1st, officers were sent to the dry bridge on Armory Street for a possible suicidal jumper.  When officers arrived, the suicidal man was already over the bridge and was extremely combative while wanting to end his life.

It was reported that the man was waiting for a train to come along to fall onto the tracks and to be run over. Officers Luismael Carcorze-Mendez and Alexander Rodriguez tried to coax the man off the bridge, but their decision-making to go hands-on to bring this man to safety likely saved his life. Several other officers, including Officers Tequila Taylor-Evans, Dasaan Daniels, Jonathan Aponte, Isaiah Sanchez, and Nathan Murchison, followed Carcorze-Mendez and Rodriguez and helped take the man off the ledge and into an ambulance.

“First and foremost, I hope this individual gets the help that he needs. We see far too many individuals suffering from mental health issues on our bridges attempting to and some unfortunately succeeding in taking their own lives. I’d like to recognize Officers Carcorze-Mendez and Rodriguez for their quick thinking as well as the other officers involved. Many of these officers I swore in as police officers just a few months ago and this was likely their first situation involving a suicidal person. They all acted in a way that made me and our department proud. Even though these actions occur in the middle of the night on our overnight shift, I want them to know that I am taking notice and appreciate their efforts.”

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, according to the CDC . Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, which is one death every 11 minutes.

If you’re struggling with mental health, don’t be afraid to reach out to these resources.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 1-877-870-4673

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