Newark Cops Rescue ‘Suicidal’ Man At Riverfront Park: Officials

NEWARK, NJ — “Hi, how are you?” These were the first words from a Newark police officer as she approached a distraught man threatening to commit suicide on Monday.

The incident, which was captured on a police body camera, took place at Riverfront Park around 9:45 p.m., according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Officers in the area of Read Street near Raymond Boulevard were flagged down by a woman who reported that a man was on a railing at the water edge threatening to jump. The pair approached the man and began talking to him in an attempt to get him to climb back over the railing to safety.

“What’s wrong?” one officer asked the man, who was straddling the railing and dangerously close to falling.

After a short conversation – during which she casually edged closer – the officer managed to get an answer: he was sad about his daughters.

“Your daughters need you,” she told the man. “So if you do that, who are they gonna be with? You have your daughters to live for. You’ve got to remember that.”

As the pair continued to talk, additional Newark police officers arrived on the scene, as well as members of the Essex County Sherriff’s Office. When the man became distracted by their presence, other cops at the scene were able to rush forward and pull him to safety.

Emergency responders transported the man to a nearby hospital for evaluation, authorities said.

The officers’ response to the situation earned high praise from Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

“I’m grateful that this incident ended with a member of our community rescued, rather than a far worse outcome,” Ambrose said. “These officers exhibited the type of dedication and commitment to public safety that the people of Newark can be proud of.”

It’s not the first time in recent history that some well-timed compassion from Newark police officers has made a key difference in a potentially tragic situation.

In October 2019, a pair of Newark police officers came to the aid of a 13-year-old who was threatening to jump from a third-floor ledge.

"Hold on brother!" one of the officers told the teen. "Don't do that. Listen, we care about you. We don't want you to get hurt."

• See related article: Newark Cops Rescue Suicidal Teen: 'Hold On, Brother, We Care'

In August 2019, Newark police officers talked a "disturbed" man into peacefully surrendering after he threatened to kill himself. As the conversation continued, the man mentioned that he wanted Chinese food.

It was a request that police were happy to take into their own hands, authorities reported.

• See related article: Chinese Food Helps Stop Suicide In Newark, Police Say

People having suicidal thoughts can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. Garden State residents can also find support at the New Jersey Hopeline at 1-855-654-6735.

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