Three Gadsden Police Officers Being Called Heroes

PHOTO: Three Gadsden police officers arrived on the scene at Railroad Bridge Friday, Nov. 18, within 90 seconds of being dispatched to find the person's vehicle disabled/stuck on the bridge and that person already over the traffic lanes of Albert Rains Boulevard. (Gadsden Police Department)

Taniesa L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | AL.com

GADSDEN - Three Gadsden police officers are being called heroes after they saved a person who was trying to jump off a bridge.

“One week ago today, three members of our police department risked their own lives to save the life of someone they had never met before,” police department officials posted on Facebook Friday. “Sgt. Sergeant Danny Haas, Officer Alec Burgess, and Officer Chris Phillips went above and beyond the call of duty by placing themselves in danger to save the life of a distraught individual.”

The officers arrived on the scene at Railroad Bridge Friday, Nov. 18, within 90 seconds of being dispatched to find the person’s vehicle disabled/stuck on the bridge and that person already over the traffic lanes of Albert Rains Boulevard.

The officers were able to catch up and grab the person before the tragedy happened with traffic still moving below.

“From the video, it was both devastating and distressing to hear how, in that particular moment before the officers caught up, a human being felt unloved and underappreciated to the point of drastic consequences,’’ police wrote. “It was also incredibly uplifting to hear Sgt. Haas’ first words to the person he pulled from danger – ‘I love you.’’'

Burgess, who was in arm’s reach reiterated the sergeant’s words and said, “I don’t like heights, let’s walk off this bridge together.”

As they escorted the person to waiting firefighters, police said, the person asked, “Why do y’all care what happens to me? Nobody else cares.”

Sgt. Hass answered, “We care. We are here because we want to be here.”

The officers’ actions were heroic, and their words were comforting, police said.

“Any of the three men would tell you they did exactly the same thing any of our folks would do, and that’s probably true,’’ police said. “However, that in itself no way lessens the difference they made in a human being’s life last Friday. These are the type of men and women you have protecting your family, your homes, and your businesses every single day.”