For Immediate Release:  October 16, 2020

On October 14, 2020, patrol officers pulled a distraught, suicidal man from the ledge of a parking garage.

At 8:43 pm, the Atlantic City Police Department received information from the Pleasantville Police Department in reference to a suicidal man that was in Atlantic City and threatening to jump from a bridge.  Officers began to check throughout the City for the man.  Officers were able to obtain a photograph of the man that was sent to his family and determined he was on top of the Claridge parking garage.

At 9:09 pm, Officer Eric Knuttel, a member of the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team, located the man sitting on a ledge at the top of the garage.  Officer Knuttel engaged him in conversation attempting to talk the distraught man off the ledge.  The man was also on a Facetime call during this interaction.  After speaking for 10 minutes, the man became extremely agitated, stood up, walked towards the ledge, and yelled out.  Officer Knuttel believed that the man was going to jump and ran towards him grabbing on to his leg.  Officers rushed in and grabbed the man and Officer Knuttel pulling both of them from the ledge. 

The man was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for an evaluation.

Officer Knuttel was assisted in this rescue by Sergeant John Waddell and Officers Matthew Stollenwerk, Randy Rodriguez-Marte, Irwin Sanchez and Kyle Fauvell.

“I am extremely proud of the bravery and compassion shown by Officer Knuttel and the other officers for this man who was in severe emotional distress.  Their actions are indicative of the work routinely done by members of this police department,” said Interim Officer-in-Charge James Sarkos.  “For years, the Atlantic City Police Department has taken a proactive approach when it comes to the mental health of our residents and visitors by partnering with social service organizations and providing training to our officers.”

For anyone that needs assistance, or knows someone that needs assistance, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741.

Alert sent on 10/16/2020 at 11:21AM EDT

Additional Information

Link: Officers Pull Suicidal Man from Ledge of Parking Garage

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