Body camera footage shows Marietta police officers rescuing a woman on the Delk Road bridge over I-75 early Wednesday morning.
The officers responded to a 911 dispatch about a woman who was allegedly suicidal.
Officer Austin Martin was first on the scene.
Martin has been with the Marietta Police Department for less than a year and had recently achieved a rank up to solo status. Despite this, he answered the call and confidently approached the woman as she moved closer to the outer fence.
Using his training, he stayed calm, told her his name, and attempted to get her to climb back to safety for nearly an hour. As she clung on to the fencing, she reportedly looked fatigue and was in danger of falling. Officer Martin then held her hand, lacing his fingers with hers through the chain link fence.
By that time, other officers and officials had arrived on the scene and coordinated a plan to rescue the woman.
During the rescue, both sides of the interstate, north and southbound, were shut down.
As more members of the team tried to reach the woman, she became distressed and belligerent and would only respond to the aide of Officer Martin.
Once the woman was securely grasping Officer Martin’s hand, other officers from the Cobb County Police Department and Marietta Police Department were able to grab her clothing.
With the cooperation of the first responders of the MPD, the CCPD, the Marietta Fire Department, and the Cobb County Fire Department, the woman was lowered off the bridge and onto a fire truck ladder where she was then handed to officers on the ground.
A statement released from the Marietta Police Department Chief Ferrell:
“I could not be prouder of the actions of Officer Martin and all those involved in saving this woman’s life. To those who ask why anyone would want to become a police officer these days, this is just one example of the impact a first responder can have in someone’s life. I am appreciative of the collaboration that exists between each of our agencies. If you experience a crisis in Cobb, rest assured we are all coming as one cohesive team to assist you.”
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The woman is now receiving the assistance she needs.
*** If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the Lifeline by dialing 988. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organization’s official website.