Man Threatened To Jump From Harmon Cove Towers Bridge

SECAUCUS, NJ — A man threatened to jump from the railroad overpass bridge near Harmon Cove Towers Monday afternoon, and a Secaucus Police officer talked him down.

It was the man himself who called 911 at 2:48 p.m. Monday:

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The man, 33, told the Secaucus Police dispatcher he was getting ready to jump off the bridge above the railroad tracks.

This is the bridge next to Harmon Cove Towers; the bridge runs over active railroad tracks used by Conrail freight trains.

Patrol officers Kiril Petrov and Robert Schaffer raced to the scene and found the man standing on the ledge of the bridge. He was on the opposite side of the fence and clinging to the fence.

Petrov engaged the man in conversation and calmed him down. Petrov convinced him to come down off the bridge and agree to seek medical attention. The man was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for evaluation.

He was distraught because of the recent death of his fiance, said police.

"This incident is an example of how a police officers are true guardians of the community," Chief Dennis Miller said. "I am extremely proud of Police Officers Petrov's actions, which are reinforced by the training provided to our officers. I commend the dispatcher, officers and the responding supervisors who undoubtedly were able to preserve this man's life."

If any member of the public is feeling suicidal, please do not hesitate to call 911 immediately, said Miller. Help is always here.