A Richmond police sergeant, who is also an experienced crisis negotiator, talked a man out of jumping off the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on Sunday, according to police.
Richmond police Acting Sgt. Ben Therriault responded to the bridge at 8:19 p.m. to assist the California Highway Patrol with the suicidal person. The sergeant, an experienced member of the RPD Crisis Negotiation Team, stood alongside members of the Richmond Fire Department and the CHP and patiently spoke and listened to the man standing on the edge of the bridge.
“Together, they talked about families and children, bonded over shared birthdays, and connected on a common basis of compassion and humanity,” the Police Department said.
Sgt. Therriault built a rapport with the man, who eventually “stepped off of the ledge, accepted an outstretched hand, and safely received a warm hug from your first responders,” police said.
