A Hartford police officer leapt into action to stop a man who was about to take his own life on the Columbus Boulevard pedestrian bridge Monday.
The life and death situation unfolded during lunch hour.
“There’s tons of children going to the science museum,” said witness Manon Morande. “This could have been horrific.”
Hartford Police Officer Jim Barrett heard the call.
“Something wasn’t right,” said Barrett.
Because Barrett was on his bike, he was on scene in seconds.
Morande watched the intense exchange.
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“I saw the gentleman on the other side of the bridge, lunging as this gentleman jumped over and put his arm and caught him,” she said.
“There was no negotiating,” said Barrett. “He was committed to jump and he was in the position to actually jump. He was in the motion of jumping. That’s when I had to take initiative and take charge and stop it from happening.”
Barrett and Morande stayed until more help arrived.
“I said, 'Hey, we’re going to get through this together,'” said Barrett.
“I’m trying not to get emotional. He was amazing. We need more people like him around here,” Morande said.
They are both grateful the man is alive and getting the treatment he needs.
