Sheriff's Deputy Stops Man From Jumping Off I-84 In Southeast

SOUTHEAST, NY — On Memorial Day, Putnam County 911 called for any available patrol in Southeast to respond to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, where a man had parked his car on the westbound side of Interstate I-84 and was now standing on the edge holding a piece of paper.

The call came in at 12:27 p.m. The bridge goes high over Route 6.

Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika and Sergeant Thomas Lee of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department responded. Osika arrived within two minutes, at 12:29 and found the man with his arms raised, standing on the edge of the bridge. The man appeared to be praying and about to jump off the bridge.

Osika approached the subject cautiously from behind. When close enough, he grabbed the
man from behind and wrestled him to the ground. Sgt. Lee arrived on the scene just as Osika got the man handcuffed, police said.

The 36-year-old stated that he wanted to die. A suicide note was found in his possession.

He was transported to Putnam Hospital Center for a mental health evaluation.

Sgt. Lee said that in his opinion, "Deputy Osika went above and beyond the call of duty, placing his own life at risk of falling off the bridge while wrestling to save the life of this individual.”