Canton Public Safety officer credited with saving suicidal man from jumping off bridge

Officer grabs would-be bridge jumper perched on Joy Road, I-275 overpass rail in Canton Township

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Canton Public Safety officer is credited with saving the life of a suicidal man on Sunday.

At about 7:30 p.m. an officer was dispatched to the area of Joy Road and Interstate 275 after a report of a man leaning over the overpass rail. The officer arrived to find a man standing on the bridge over northbound I-275.

The man had one leg up on the rail and was looking at his cellphone. When he noticed the officer, the man put his cellphone in his pocket and stepped onto the rail with both legs.

Watch: Dash cam of Canton officer grabbing jumper

The officer slowly approached the man and attempted to talk with him, but the man ignored him.

When the officer was close enough, he lunged forward and grabbed the man by his coat, pulling him off the rail.

The man told the officer he planned on committing suicide by jumping off the bridge.

More: Headlines from Canton Township, Mich.

He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Canton Public Safety says the officer's quick reaction saved the man's life.

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