Deputy Jason McCall;

 

Officers were dispatched to University Hospital parking deck level 6 in reference to a subject threatening to jump. Upon arrival, Officers found the subject on the outside of the barrier wall standing on a 6” ledge and holding onto the wall for support. Sergeant Ronald Harden made contact with the subject and began talking with him. Several times he would lean out, hanging onto the wall to keep from falling. He stated he was just getting the courage up to let go. He then stood up on the wall, walking it like a tight rope and almost lost his balance. Sergeant Harden convinced him to sit down on the wall. He sat down with his back to the deputies. He had previously given a time frame of approx. 10 min and then he was going to jump.

 

Sergeant Harden continued to talk to him trying to encourage him to come back on the other side of the wall. Sergeant Harden positioned himself on his right side during the conversation. While talking with Sergeant Harden other deputies were able to ease up on the left side of him. Seeing an opportunity and fearing the subject would jump or fall at any moment, Deputy Jason McCall grabbed the subject and pulled him back onto the deck.  He was assisted by Deputy Brent Turner, Deputy Philip Clark, and Deputy Richard Justice.  The subject was taken into protective custody and transported to the emergency room. I feel that if not for the actions of all the deputies involved the subject may have jumped and a tragic end would have occurred.