Cops Stop 'Suicide Attempt,' Grab Man As He Jumped Off Balcony In Union County: Police

GARWOOD, NJ — Fast-acting police officers saved a man after he jumped from a third-floor balcony in a suicide attempt, said Garwood Police Chief Douglas Stoffer.

On Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6:31 p.m., Garwood Police Officers were called to 450 South Avenue, Vermella apartment complex after a male resident called 911 saying he was having body pain.

The dispatch call center tried to get more information from the caller, but he abruptly hung up, said Stoffer.

Officers Jonathan Pridy, Gregory Sanchez, and Sergeant John Wright went to the complex.

Officers tried multiple times to talk with the resident over the phone and through the apartment door. The resident refused to answer the officers and with the unknown condition of the resident officers broke down the apartment door, said Stoffer.

Officers Pridy, Sanchez, and Sgt. Wright went into the apartment and through the bedroom door the officers saw a man on the balcony with what appeared to be a white object around the man's neck, said Stoffer.

The resident saw the officers approaching and began to quickly climb over the railing of the third floor balcony letting go of his grip once over the top rail, said Stofer.

As the man began to fall from the balcony, Sanchez was able to grab the man's arm followed by Pridy and Wright.

"The officers were able to swiftly pull the resident over the railing and back on to the apartment balcony," said Stoffer.

Officers removed a white electrical cord from around the man’s neck. It was discovered the other end of the electrical cord was tied to the top rail of the balcony. The cord broke from the balcony when the officers lifted the resident to safety.

EMS units were on scene to help the 41-year-old male resident, who was recently new to the area. He was taken to Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth where he is being treated.

People suffering from suicidal thoughts can find support at the below resources:

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. The Lifeline offers confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved one.
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) afsp.org also recommends calling or texting 988 to reach the Lifeline if you are in crisis and in need of support.

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