Officer Talks Possibly Suicidal Man Off Freeway Ledge

NOVATO, CA – A 13-year veteran of the Novato Police Department, Cpl. Nick Zolli, used his crisis-intervention training last week to calmly encourage a possibly suicidal 27-year-old man to climb back from the freeway overpass on which he was sitting with his legs dangling over the edge.

Zolli responded March 13 at 5:26 a.m. to the area and "could tell the man was in crisis and in danger of jumping onto the freeway," police said.

The officer slowly approached the individual, introduced himself as “Nick” and developed a rapport with the troubled person, letting him know he was there to help.

"After speaking for several minutes, Cpl. Zolli asked the young man to climb back over the guardrail to safety," the department said, adding that Zolli is considered among its top mental-health officers. "By reassuring him that he was okay, the man finally climbed back over the rail to a safe location. In this instance, Cpl. Zolli’s assistance could not have been implemented at a better time."

In September, the Novato Police Department created a video to encourage awareness of how law enforcement and suicide prevention intertwine. Click here to view.

The agency also reminded locals to call 911 if anyone is in danger of harming themselves or others. For more information about suicide prevention, visit the following websites: Suicide Is Preventable and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

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