Officer

California Highway Patrol

9/18/1996

Special Act Award (Gold)

Officer Greene and his partner received a call about a possible suicide. At 2:44 am, the Officers arrived on scene and saw a young woman standing outside the fence at the I-605 195 St. overcrossing. Officer Greene approached the crying woman and initiated a conversation with her. Officer Greene talked to the woman for a considerable amount of time and then the young woman changed her mind about jumping. She started to move off the bridge, but became frightened. She froze, tightly gripping the fence for safety. Officer Greene, in full uniform, put down his PR-24 and climbed over fence placing the young female between himself and the fence, preventing her from falling or changing her mind about jumping. On the opposite side of the fence a bystander and Officer Green’s partner used a strap and a rope to secure Officer Greene and the woman to the fence. During this time, Officer Greene felt the weight of the woman increase as she loosened her grip on the fence. Officer Greene had to hold on extra right to support himself as well as the woman. Officer Green held on for 26 minutes until the Fire department’s hook and ladder unit arrived and got into position, then both safely climbed down from the bridge.