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Police officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) were recently honored for their role in saving the life of a man undergoing a mental health crisis in downtown Salt Lake City last year.
Recently released body camera footage revealed the harrowing incident that took place a year ago at the corner of North Temple and 400 West.
Police were called after a man threatened to take his own life, teetering on the edge of a parking garage and threatening to let go.
Officers swiftly responded.
“I absolutely believe he was going to do it — 100%,” Officer Bridger Prince recounted, realizing the gravity of the situation.
Officers Prince, Ben Schriver and Dalton Hatch said they sprinted to the scene, knowing that time was of the essence.
“In my mind, it was life or death. So, for me, it was a no-brainer,” Officer Schriver affirmed.
As the officers reached the man, he relinquished his grip, plunging towards the ground.
Without pausing to think of their own safety, the officers reacted immediately, reaching down just in time and grabbing the man.
They then worked together to hoist the 200-pound man back to safety.
“If you have ever had to hold 200 pounds of dead weight, it is extremely difficult,” Officer Prince remarked.
Despite the challenges, the officers managed to pull the man from the brink, averting a tragic outcome. It was later revealed that the man was undergoing a mental health crisis.
The trio sees such incidents as an integral part of their daily duties.
“It is a bad word to use, but it kind of does become, ‘that is what we do,’” Officer Schriver acknowledged, discussing the frequency of such calls.
However, despite the routine nature of these interventions, Officer Schriver said they can often be life-or-death.
“With any call, there is no way [he] could just let someone die,” Schriver said.
The officers’ commitment to preserving life was recently recognized, with the three being awarded a medal for their heroic actions.
Yet, for these officers, the true reward lies in the profound impact they’ve had on an individual’s life.
“You feel just an overwhelming sense of accomplishment like you actually affected change,” Officer Prince expressed.
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