Caught on video: Newark police rescue man threatening to take his own life

Newark police officers made a dramatic rescue Monday night and it was all captured on a police officer’s body camera.

News 12 Staff

Feb 27, 2020, 2:48 AM

Updated 1,519 days ago

Share:

Newark police officers made a dramatic rescue Monday night and it was all captured on a police officer’s body camera.
Newark police were called to Riverfront Park for reports of a man threatening to take his own life by jumping from a ledge into the Passaic River below. Two arriving officers found the man with one leg over the edge.
“I’m going to stay right here,” officer Jocelyn Allen is heard saying on the video.
The man explained that he wasn’t being allowed to see his daughters. Allen says that she found that talking about family was her way of keeping the man calm.
“Can you talk to me about it instead of doing that?” Allen asked. “Your daughters need you.”
“I just wanted him to keep trusting me that I was going to help him,” Allen says, while recalling the incident. “I felt the closer I got, I could grab him.”
Allen is a rookie officer. Her training officer Kerwin Lovo was at her side. He says that she was handling the situation well.
On the video, as both officers moved closer to the man, he is heard saying, “I hear somebody down underneath. Please tell them to back down.”
This is the moment where police would find their opening to pull him to safety.
Police say that the key to saving the man’s life was a distraction. As officers were talking to the man on the ledge, other officers started to surround him from below, along the river’s edge. As the many noticed the officers down below, police were able to grab him.
The man was put into an ambulance after he was rescued. But before he left, he asked for a moment with Allen.
“He called for me to come talk to him and he thanked me,” Allen says. “He said I really cared about him. He could see I didn’t want him to die.”
Allen and Lovo say that they followed their training. They say that once you show people respect and treat those in need like they are family, you will earn their trust.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was set up to provide 24/7 support for the public. Anyone who may be in crisis should call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.


More from News 12
0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

1:56
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

0:43
Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started