Deputy's Life-Saving Hug Prevents a Suicide: ‘You’re Not Going Out Like This'

Brad Fox | April 16, 2015
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Spartanburg County Deputy Michael Hubbard responded to calls about a woman sitting on the edge of a bridge near Highway 26.

Local News WYFF reports:

"Hubbard asked the woman what she was doing, and she responded, “Just looking for my way out and being at peace."  He said the woman was emotional and visibly upset, so he continued to talk to her while he moved toward her.

Officer Hubbard said he was able to get his hand on the woman’s right arm, but she tried to break free and attempted to jump off the bridge.  He told the woman, “Give me your hands.  You are not going to go out like this today. Stop fighting!”

That’s when he wrapped her entire body up in a hug and pulled her off of the railing and onto the roadway as the women was saying, “Just let me do it.”  

A passerby helped put the distressed women in the back seat of the police car and she was taken to the hospital.

Hubbard’s boss, Sheriff Chuck Wright said, "Deputies do this kind of stuff, every single day, and I don't’ hear anyone screaming and hollering what a great job they’re doing either, because they are.“

Kareem McDowell was one of the people who called 911 said:

"It's amazing how God works sometimes. Everybody deserves a second chance, and I'm just glad she got one."

Officer Hubbord had this to say about his efforts:

"To be honest with you. I didn't think anything of it. That's what I signed up to do. That's the job. If I wasn't going to do it, I shouldn't be here. Everybody here has a family. If that was me or one of my family members sitting on that side of that bridge, you'd definitely want them to do the same thing.”

Sheriff Wright added:

“They're doing a wonderful job. I'll go to my grave defending officers across the United States.”

 

 

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