Watch Tenn. Police Grab Suicidal Man Falling from Sky Bridge

Tennessee police officers made a dramatic rescue of a suicidal man from a closed sky bridge last month after he climbed onto the outside ledge of the deteriorating structure.

The incident happened shortly before 9 a.m. Jan. 8 when Sevierville police received a report of a man in crisis standing on the edge of the sky bridge over the French Broad River, the department stated in a social media post that included body camera footage of the save. The sky bridge has been closed for an extended period.

Members of the Crisis Negotiation Team and other units responded and began efforts to de-escalate the situation. Sgt. Dweese Milliron, the lead negotiator, went onto the bridge to establish a rapport with the man, who was standing on a small ledge outside the bridge railing.

That's when the man let go, and as the man began to fall, Milliron and crisis counselor William Rickels grabbed him. Additional officers rushed onto the bridge and helped with holding the man before pulling him back over the railing to safety.

Police said the bridge’s deteriorating condition increased the danger during the rescue, with several wooden planks breaking off as officers worked to secure the man.

The man was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Police reported that he and the responding officers sustained only minor scrapes and bruises.

“These men and women put their own lives in harm’s way to save a man who was in obvious crisis,” Chief Joseph Manning said in a statement. “We are so thankful that the man was unharmed and is safe. The actions and bravery of these officers illustrates what can happen on any given day as they serve and protect our community. I cannot be prouder of their actions, as well as those of Mr. Rickels, who stepped-in to assist in this rescue."