According to information from law enforcement sources, a courageous Port Authority officer played a crucial role in preventing two distressed individuals from taking their own lives on the George Washington Bridge within hours of each other this week.
In the course of just three hours on Tuesday, the iconic bridge witnessed the prevention of two tragic incidents. Over the years, this bridge has sadly been the site of numerous suicides.
Around 5:30 p.m., Port Authority Police Officer Joe Romano received reports of a person who appeared to be attempting to scale the north walkway fence of the bridge. Upon arriving at the scene, Romano, aged 37, encountered a 26-year-old man in the process of climbing the barrier. Romano promptly approached the individual, who descended to the walkway and then fled in the direction of the New York side of the Hudson River span.
Romano pursued the man, who, upon reaching an observation point, climbed the fencing while threatening to jump. Fellow Port Authority police officers Greg Rose, Chris Figuero, and Dave Ferrara soon arrived to assist Romano. While Romano and Rose engaged in conversation with the distressed individual, who repeatedly urged them not to approach, Figuero and Ferrara managed to apprehend him safely.
Despite his emotional state, the rescued man expressed gratitude to the officers for saving him before being transported to Harlem Hospital for care.
Later that evening, around 8:30 p.m., Romano and his colleagues received a radio call regarding a 48-year-old woman in distress near the bridge. A concerned family member had contacted Port Authority police, reporting that the woman had harmed herself and was threatening to jump, and had sent a photo showing her in a precarious situation.
Based on the photo, Romano had a hunch about her location and headed to the New York side of the bridge. He ventured into the wooded trails near Fort Washington Park, where he discovered the 48-year-old woman, her wrists cut and covered in blood.
The distraught woman was promptly transported to NewYork-Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center for treatment.
It is worth noting that saving lives is a rare occurrence in the careers of most police officers, but Romano managed to accomplish this heroic feat twice in a single day.
The George Washington Bridge, a heavily congested thoroughfare used by pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists, has unfortunately witnessed suicides and suicide attempts in the past. In 2017, authorities took steps to deter potential jumpers by installing a metal fence and netting system. Additionally, inspirational signs have been placed on the fencing along the pathway to dissuade individuals from taking such drastic actions.
The post Hero Cop Joe Romano Saves 2 George Washington Bridge Jumpers In 1 Day appeared first on Watch This NYC.
