Pasadena Officers’ Quick Action Saves Woman From Suicide

The Colorado Street Bridge. – File Photo by Terry Miller

Officers Held On as She Attempted to Jump Off Colorado Street Bridge

On Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at approximately 10:10 a.m., the Pasadena Police received a call from a Santa Clarita man who said that his 20-year-old daughter was depressed and suicidal. She had made previous comments to the family about jumping off the Colorado Street Bridge. She had left her home in Santa Clarita early Saturday morning without telling her family where she was going. Her father became concerned when she had not returned home. He learned that she had made a purchase from a Starbucks in Pasadena and requested that PD check the bridge.

Officer Baffigo and Officer Armendariz responded to the bridge and found the victim sitting on the outside ledge of the bridge. Officers Baffigo and Armendariz spoke with the victim for close to two hours, attempting to persuade her to climb back over and not harm herself. The victim was sitting on the edge facing the officers and holding onto one of the bridge’s decorative concrete fence columns. Without notice, the victim leaned back over the edge and released her hold of the column. Officers Baffigo and Armendariz immediately reached out and each grabbed one of the victim’s wrists, holding her as the rest of her body fell from the ledge. The officers held onto the victim for approximately two minutes as she dangled in the air. The Pasadena Fire Department quickly arrived and were able to complete the rescue, safely bringing the victim back onto the bridge. The victim was taken to a medical facility where she will receive psychological/psychiatric help.

The unselfish and brave acts of Officers Baffigo and Armendariz, at great personal risk to themselves, heroically saved the life of this young woman.

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