Deputy Dressed As Mrs. Claus Saves Woman From Ledge: Police

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A Fredericksburg deputy dressed as Mrs. Claus helped save a woman who was partially hanging from a bridge last week. The deputy, along with other police officers, pulled the woman back to safety.

"We've got you," the deputy and police officers told the woman as they pulled her from the ledge. "You're fine. You're OK. We're here to help."

Lieutenant Merrell had played the part of Mrs. Claus in one of Fredericksburg's Public Safety Santa Runs on Tuesday evening. On her way home, she saw a woman peering over the edge of the Falmouth Bridge into the Rappahannock River below, the police department said.

Merrell made one U-turn and then another. "Something didn’t feel right to Lieutenant Merrell," the Fredericksburg Police Department said in a news release.

When Merrell found the woman again, she had one leg thrown over the edge of the bridge. Merrell called for back-up and began talking to the woman, authorities said.

Sergeant Lynch, another police officer who was driving home from the Santa Run, also pulled over on their way home to help.

The off-duty officers were able to pull the woman back to safety. Authorities took her to an area hospital, where she is receiving mental health support.

"The most amazing part of this story is that Lieutenant Merrell and Sergeant Lynch typically take a different route home," Fredericksburg Police Chief Brian Layton said. "Call it divine intervention or fate, I truly believe these officers were meant to take the route they did and help save this woman’s life."

Scott Foster is the sheriff for the City of Fredericksburg. In a news release, he shared similar sentiments.

"This was remarkable teamwork between the Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office and Police Department and a true Christmas miracle," Foster said.

If you or someone you know is considering harming themselves, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling 988. Immediate help is also available in an emergency by dialing 911. Additional mental health and suicide prevention resources are available online.