Photo: Getty Images
A newly-appointed Marietta police officer, Austin Martin, saved a woman who was attempting to jump off a bridge over Interstate 75 in Cobb County, Georgia. The Marietta Police Department (MPD) received a 911 call indicating a suicidal woman was on the bridge. Officer Martin, who had been operating solo for just six weeks, was one of the first to respond.
Despite his rookie status, Martin professionally approached the woman, introducing himself while she was on the fence. He communicated with her calmly for nearly an hour, trying to talk her down off the ledge. During this time, first responders from several departments coordinated rescue efforts. The interstate had to be closed as the woman moved outside the bridge's protective fencing.
Eventually, the woman got tired, and Martin was able to secure her long enough for other officers to assist in her rescue. The woman is now safe and receiving help, and MPD Chief Martin “Marty” Ferrell expressed pride in the job Martin and his fellow officers did in preventing a tragedy.
Source: WSBTV