BOSTON — “I love helping people.”
That’s what Massachusetts State Trooper Rassan Charles does. Trooper Charles is being hailed as a hero after saving a man in distress on the Tobin Bridge.
Trooper Charles is a crisis negotiator who responded to the bridge on a cold, windy night in November.
That footage shows Charles negotiating with the man who was attempting to take his own life.
“You’re not alone,” he yelled to the man. “Come talk to me... We are to support each other.”
After about two hours of negotiation, Charles was able to pull the man back to safety from the bridge’s ledge.
“Appreciate you guys,” the man said as he was greeted by emergency response teams.
“De-escalation is the priority,” Trooper Charles said. “At any scene, treat the person with respect.”
“Training kicked in, and everything went smoothly,” he said. “When I saw that window of opportunity, it was critical... I did what I did.”
Charles had undergone training with state health professionals just three weeks before the incident.
He continued, “I told him, ‘I just want to talk. It’s you and I. Just focus on my voice stay with me.’”
Charles remembers, “He actually was in shock, and technically melted in my hands. My confidence and training brought him to safety.”
Boston 25 security analyst Dan Linskey said Charles handled the situation perfectly.
“That’s a skill that takes some time to develop, and knowing that our first responders have that and are willing to utilize that and talk to somebody as opposed to going tactical and hands on, which could, maybe, cause a situation to go the wrong way or rush it, taking your time relating to somebody as a human being.”
Charles said he spoke with the man he saved over the phone two days after the incident. He claimed he was at a group therapy session getting the help he needed.
He finished, “It was amazing. I live for this... I’ll do it again.”
As Trooper Charles said, you are not alone. Boston 25 would like to remind everyone that if you are struggling, 988 is the suicide and crisis lifeline, which is available 24/7. Similarly, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s 24/7 helpline is available to call or text at 833-773-2445.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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