Life Saving Incident

On Friday July 10, 2015, just after 2:30 am., Cherokee Emergency Dispatch received a call from a distraught female who advised that she wanted to jump off a bridge. 911 Operators alerted the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and this agency about the emergency call. All units began searching area bridges around I-575 in an effort to locate the female caller. Emergency Dispatch was able to “ping” the cell phone number which showed that she was in the area of the City of Canton.

Just before 3:00 am., a Canton Police Corporal was patrolling in the area of the northbound off ramp from I-575 (Exit # 16B), when he observed the suicidal female as she was slumped over the edge of the bridge that runs over the Canton By-pass. Officers, with vital assistance from Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Deputies, were able to shut down I-575 both north and southbound as an officer attempted to talk with the suicidal female over his patrol vehicle’s PA system.

This crisis negotiation allowed the Police Corporal and a Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy enough time to scale the bridge embankment and make their way behind her without being detected. The law enforcement officers were able to grab the distraught citizen from off the ledge of the bridge and hold her down before she was able to jump. Other Officers and Deputies arrived to assist and the suicidal female was taken into custody and transported to a local area hospital without further incident.

Canton Chief of Police Mark Mitchell stated, “I cannot thank our Officers and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Deputies enough for their life-saving efforts, dedication and quick action during this serious incident. They were able to bring this critical situation to a safe resolution in order for one of our citizens to get the help and care she needs for her troubled situation.”