July 23, 2019–7:48 a.m.
ADAIRSVILLE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
On Sunday at about 10:30 p.m. Adairsville Police Officers responded to a serious call on Highway 140 where it passes over Interstate 75. Officers received information a man was on the ledge of the overpass and looked to be ready to jump off onto I-75. Once arriving on the scene officers did locate a white male in his 30’s who was in a dangerous position on the outside of the ledge of the overpass.
Officers immediately made contact with the man who refused to say anything other than “I’m going to jump because nobody cares, don’t come any closer, I don’t want to talk to you.” One officer continued to talk to the man while the other quickly went into action working to change the environment to minimize the chances of the man getting hurt. The Gordon County sheriff’s office assisted by blocking the Southbound lanes of traffic while the Bartow County sheriff’s office worked at getting the Northbound lanes blocked. As the man was more on the Southbound side of I-75, Gordon County Deputies worked at getting tractor-trailers to stop under the overpass to lessen the distance the man would fall if he did jump.
During the time the man came back over the ledge as if to move further along the overpass and both Adairsville Police officers sprang into action, quickly closing the distance and tackling the man without further incident. He was shortly thereafter transported to Cartersville Medical Center for further treatment and evaluation.
Chief Mike Jones commended both officers for their actions, the great assistance the Bartow and Gordon County Sheriff’s departments provided, as well as the drivers of the tractor-trailers. One of the goals of the Adairsville Police Department has been to get all sworn staff certified as Crisis Intervention Officers. Chief Jones stated that this training, “which is specifically tailored around the handling of people in these kinds of crisis”, was a contributing factor in the successful outcome of this incident.
“It is always our goal to protect people while enforcing the law, and the opportunity to save a life tonight was the pinnacle of achievement for our department.” Chief Jones stated.
