Knoxville, TN – Bodycam footage captured the moment that two Tennessee law enforcement officers heroically saved the life of a man who was jumping off of a bridge (video below).
The incident occurred on a bridge on Pleasant Ridge Road on April 8, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) said in the video release on Sept. 16.
KCSO Officer Brian Rehg and Knoxville Police Lieutenant Chris McCarter arrived at the scene to find a man preparing to hurl himself to his death.
Bodycam footage showed the man as he swiftly began hoisting himself over the railing head-first.
The officers grabbed onto him at the last possible second, grasping the flailing man by his legs and torso as they yanked him back to safety and pinned him onto the ground.
Sheriff Spangler commended both officers for stopping the suicidal man’s attempt to end his life.
“Because of their vigilance and quick actions the young man is alive today,” he said in the release. “Both Lt. McCarter and Officer Rehg are true local heroes, not just because of this one incident but because they continue to risk their lives daily for the safety of others.”
“Thank you gentlemen for your continued hard work and dedication to Knoxville and Knox County!” Sheriff Spangler wrote.
The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) also praised the officers for the swift rescue.
“With the quick and decisive actions of KPD Lt. Chris McCarter and KCSO Deputy Brian Rehg, a young man who was experiencing a crisis was saved,” the department said in a Facebook post. “We’re very proud of the life-saving actions of both officers and even more pleased that the young man received help during and after this incident.”
You can watch bodycam footage of the officers’ encounter with the man in the video below:
