'Your Guy is a Hero'': Mass. Trooper Makes Dramatic Rescue on Bridge

Body camera footage captured a dramatic bridge rescue as a Massachusetts State Police trooper pulled a man suffering a mental health crisis to safety.

"Recently, a State Police crisis negotiator used his training and skill to resolve a dangerous situation on the Tobin Bridge," the agency stated in a social media post that included the footage. "The Trooper successfully engaged a person in mental health crisis and facilitated their successful rescue."

The agency posted the video Thursday in order to raise awareness about mental health. Troopers were called because of reports of a man standing dangerously atop the bridge over the Mystic River.

In the footage, the state police crisis negotiator calmly talks to the man, reassuring him that he's only there to get him to safety.

"I'm here to help you," the trooper says. "That's why I'm here. I swear to God, I will help you. I'll do everything in my power to provide you the help that you need. I guarantee that. That's the beacon of hope."

As the trooper secured his safety equipment, the man urges him not to "let him go" and not chase after him if he jumps. He then apologizes for putting the trooper in this position. 

"That's what we do," the trooper replies. "We're here for you."

Finally, with the man's back turned to him, the trooper quickly moves to grab the individual and pulls him to safety. The two climb down from the top of the bridge, and the man expresses his thanks to the trooper.

"Appreciate you guys," he says. "Your guy is a hero."

After the incident, former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis told WBZ-TV that this rescue should be used as an example for law enforcement officers to follow.

"This trooper did a remarkable job in gaining the trust of the individual and speaking in a very calm, controlled way," he said. "The most important thing he did was give the individual a sense that he wasn't alone,. Sometimes training is less important than a compassionate human being. Clearly, this was a guy that could connect with and relate with somebody that was in crisis."