Park City officers honored for stopping man who was going to jump off bridge

Two Park City officers were recognized this week for preventing a man from jumping off a bridge.

Officers Gary Palmer and Jordan Whitfield received the Life Saving Medal during Tuesday’s Park City Council meeting for their efforts to save a 45-year-old man from jumping off the 61st bridge above Chisholm Creek on Jan. 25. The officers responded to a welfare check of the man at around 8:15 p.m. and found him standing on the sidewalk in the middle of the bridge. As the officers approached on foot, the man put one leg over the railing and then the second, according to a Facebook post about the award.

“The officers told the man to stop, but when the man turned away, Officer Palmer lunged forward and grabbed the man before he could jump,” the post says. “Officer Palmer wrapped both of his arms around the man and Officer Whitfield grabbed both Officer Palmer and the man. The officers pulled the man back over the railing and placed him on the ground.”

Officers tried to talk with the man but he was unresponsive and began to have a seizure. They rolled the man onto his side and radioed for help. As the man drifted in and out of consciousness, the officers “performed sternum rubs to keep him awake until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and took over the patient.”

The man was transported to a Wichita hospital for medical and a psychological evaluation.

Chief Phil Bostian said he reviewed reports and video, concluding the officers’ quick actions saved the man from serious injuries or death.

“I commend you for your bravery, your compassion and your service to this community,” Bostain said in the post. “I am proud that you are members of the Park City Police Department.”

Anyone struggling with suicide can call 911, the Comcare Community Crisis Center at 316-660-7500 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.