A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been honored with a Lifesaving Award after pulling a suicidal man from a bridge railing in March.
Deputy Nathan Anderson was driving east on Old Highway 99 at about 7:30 p.m. March 17 when he passed a male standing on the sidewalk over the Interstate 5 bridge, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
“As he drove by, Deputy Anderson noted that ‘something seemed off about this individual,’ so he monitored him as he drove by,” the sheriff’s office stated. “After passing the subject, Deputy Anderson saw the male step up onto the railing of the overpass bridge and immediately turned around.”
Anderson parked a short distance from the bridge and walked up to the male who was standing on the railing using the light pole for balance, according to the sheriff’s office.
“As he approached, he attempted to talk to the male, who did not respond. As soon as Deputy Anderson was close enough, without delay, he grabbed the male and pulled him off the railing and began talking to the male,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Anderson asked the male why he was on the railing and he admitted that “he saw no reason to go on living and intended to throw himself over the bridge with the intention to kill himself.”
“Deputy Anderson demonstrated professionalism and compassion throughout this incident,” the sheriff’s office stated. “His intuition, quick thinking and decisive action surely saved this man's life. This incident and Deputy Anderson's role in it is an example of the professionalism and bravery we strive to have in all our deputies.”
