LA Sheriff’s Transit Policing Division Deputies saved the life of a man attempting to commit suicide by jumping from the Metro Gold Line bridge that crosses the 101 freeway on Monday December 8th, 2014, at approximately 1:30 PM. K9 Deputy Richard Faulk was on patrol with his K9 partner Clyde, when a patron reported a man walking on the Gold Line tracks. Faulk and his partner responded, and when the young man saw them, he ran away and appeared to be heading onto the train trestle.
Faulk immediately called for backup and ordered his units to shut down the 101 freeway in both directions in case the man attempted to jump. Transit Deputies Jeff Johnson, Ken Cianciosi, and George Perez, were the first to meet Faulk and begin to formulate a plan to try to get to the man safely. Sergeant Tenaya Brown was only seconds away, and she began to coordinate shutting down the busy freeway just entering the rush hour.
The deputies, seeing that the man was now hanging from the bridge, quickly made the decision to approach him. The bridge, not made for pedestrian traffic, was already unsafe for the deputies to traverse. When they approached the man, who was now hanging by his fingertips, they collectively reached under the concrete barrier and pulled him up to safety.
Sergeant Brown said, “My guys really made me proud today. They trusted their training and quickly reacted as a team to save that man’s life.” The 24 year old man, who was in possession of a suicide note, also made statements to deputy personnel that he wanted to end his life due to personal problems that he was experiencing. He was taken to LAC-USC Medical Center for evaluation. His identity is obviously being withheld. Metro Gold Line Trains were delayed for only about 6-7 minutes, and the freeway was closed for about the same amount of time, with no significant impact to commuter traffic. The investigation is ongoing.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority want to remind everyone during this most stressful time of the year that you are not alone. There are people who care when you’re feeling hopeless and/or helpless. You can always seek help by just picking up the phone and calling the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (877) 727-4747, or you can simply dial 911.
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local sheriff’s station or police department. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Please remember, if you SEE SOMETHING that you believe is suspicious or doesn’t look right to you, SAY SOMETHING by calling: (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or your local police department. You can also use the Transit Watch LA App, to report crime or advise of something/someone suspicious. The App can be downloaded at the Apple App Store, or on Google Play for Android Devices. http://transitwatchla.org/ (remember though, calling is always best!!)
To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the LASD via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at
www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD-Transit Services Bureau HQ, Los Angeles County Sheriff" and also register for your local LASD station area. Or, text “LASD Transit HQ” to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your calling plan.
For media inquiries please contact:
Ramon Montenegro, L.E.T.
Transit Policing Division – Unit Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(213) 922-3649
24 Hr. : (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
Email: [email protected]
Transit Watch LA website: http://www.transitwatchla.org/
LASD website: www.lasd.org
Address/Location
LASD - Transit Policing Division, Los Angeles County Sheriff
One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop: 99-PL-15
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
