Spring Valley Police Officers Save Would-Be Suicide Jumper

M.C. Millman

On Sunday, September 18, Officers Jordan and Ungar were first to arrive at an overpass on Route 59 where a visibly upset woman was standing on a narrow ledge in the center span of the bridge with a one-hundred-foot drop.

The officers worked as a team, with Officer Jordan first trying to establish a rapport with the woman by initiating a conversation. Although Officer Jordan initially appeared to be making progress, such as when the woman divulged she was highly depressed, he was unsuccessful in encouraging her to climb back to safety to discuss what was bothering her in a safe location. Moments after engaging in some back and forth, both officers reported a  physical change in her demeanor.

“I am going to jump,” she told them as she moved her feet to the edge of the ledge and let go of the railing, so she was hanging by one arm.

“We’re trained to recognize signals,” says Officer Joran, “and it was obvious to all  that she was serious and intended to jump at any moment, which meant we needed to take immediate action before she developed the courage to let go.”

Officer Jordan kept her attention in his direction, Officer Ungar was able to come from behind and quickly grabbed her by the wrist she was hanging from. Police Officer Jordan then secured her other wrist while Officer Dziedzic climbed over the railing and onto the ledge, placing his body behind the woman and securing her against the railing so she could no longer resist. Officer Evelyn then assisted by helping secure Officer Dziedzic to ensure his safety.

“The only reason we had such a great outcome,” Officer Unger shares with Rockland Daily, “was because of the great teamwork and the training from the Spring Valley Police Department. We train together and were able to communicate quickly when we arrived on the scene as to how we were going to handle it. Great teamwork! Great outcome!”

“It’s an amazing feeling, obviously, to save someone’s life,” Office Jordan says. “As police officers, we see situations like this not daily but regularly. Sunday was part of our job as police officers, but it also was part of being a human being. It is certainly very rewarding to be able to help someone in distress and to hopefully be able to get them the help that they need.”

Shortly after that, the would-be jumper was successfully brought over the railing and transported to Nyack Hospital for further medical evaluation.