Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Richmond noticed a male sitting on the edge of the Monroe Street Bridge. The male was obviously upset and was leaning against a pillar with his knees pulled up to his chest with his head down. Deputy Richmond established a rapport with the distraught male and convinced him to seek help for the problems he was facing.
On August 28, 2016 at approximately 12:37 a.m., Deputy Richmond was driving across the Monroe Street Bridge when he observed a male sitting on the edge. Fearing the male was planning to jump, Deputy Richmond turned his vehicle around and made contact. The male, obviously very upset, stood up on the walkway and began looking over the edge.
After talking with the male, Deputy Richmond urged him to move away from the edge of the bridge which he agreed to do. He continued to talk to Deputy Richmond, stating he had walked from North Spokane with the intention of going to the Monroe Street Bridge. He was sitting on the edge as he tried to decide if he was going to jump or not. The male told Deputy Richmond he still intended to jump.
Deputy Richmond continued to talk with the male and eventually convinced him to allow Deputy Richmond to stand between him and the edge of the bridge. As they continued to talk, Deputy Richmond explained he wanted to take the male to get the help he so desperately needed. After approximately 20 minutes, the male reluctantly agreed and Deputy Richmond helped him over the rail and walked him to his patrol vehicle.
To the credit of Deputy Richmond’s ability to communicate and deescalate this extremely dangerous and unpredictable incident, thankfully, no one was injured and the male was provided with the assistance he needed.