Watch Texas Deputy Save Woman about to Jump Off Overpass
What to know
• Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Deputy Constable Terrence Greene prevented a 21-year-old woman from jumping off a highway overpass Tuesday, gently pulling her back from the edge.
• Greene stayed with and comforted the distraught woman until mental health professionals arrived.
• Constable Chad Norvell praised the deputy’s steady, compassionate response, and Greene said he was thankful that he could stop a potential tragedy.
A Texas deputy stopped a 21-year-old woman from jumping off a highway overpass Tuesday, preventing an apparent suicide.
Recently released body camera footage shows Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Deputy Contstable Terrence Greene responding to a call about a 21-year-old woman attempting to scale a highway overpass barrier above the West Park Tollway, KHOU-TV reports. Greene is seen getting out of his cruiser and calmly trying to convince the woman to move away from the railing.
The woman had one leg over the ledge as Greene approached her. Once he reached her, the deputy was able to gently pull her back from the edge.
"I grabbed her and placed her in between me and ledge," Greene told KHOU.
Once she was safely away from the ledge, Green radioed for mental health professionals to be sent to the location. While they waited for that response, Greene continued to hug the woman, who continued to cry harder.
"I felt she understood someone is there to help me," he said.
Precinct 1 Constable Chad Norvell praised Greene for his empathy and calm demeanor, which kept the incident from turning tragic. During this time of year, suicide attempts like this can increase.
"True heroism isn't loud—it's the calm voice, the steady hand and the compassion that pulls someone back from the edge," Norvell wrote in a social media post that included the video footage. "Deputy Terrance Greene did exactly that. Well done."
Greene said he hopes others facing mental health struggles during the holiday season are able to find the support they need. He's happy he was able to help this woman.
"Thank God I was there," he said.