Baton Rouge police officer saves woman from jumping off bridge, emphasizes mental health attention for community
BRPD Officer Jakiya Jones stepped in to save the woman’s life.
by Ana Conejo
Jul 26, 2024
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A Baton Rouge police officer is getting recognition after saving the life of a woman who was ready to jump off the Mississippi River Bridge.
According to police, around 11:30 p.m. on May 6, officers were responding to a crisis at the Mississippi River bridge where a woman climbed the guardrail and was threatening to jump.
BRPD Officer Jakiya Jones stepped in to save the woman’s life.
“She was on the opposite side on a little piece of concrete, sitting down. So, all it basically would’ve took for her was just to lean forward and she would be gone,” Jones said.
Jones remembers the day vividly, she recalls.
“I actually grabbed her somewhere around this area and she had her arm around the railing. So, I just made sure I put my knee, like, just push pushed my knee up against it. So, she wanted to move. So, when I got my, when I established my tight grip, that’s when my squad came in,” Jones said.
With two years in law enforcement under her belt, she gives thanks to BRPD’s crisis intervention training for knowing what to do during the incident.
“I was able to, like, build some type of little bond and actually get closer to her, because when I first walked up to her on scene, she kind of pushed off the bridge, because she didn’t want us near her,” Jones said. “In some cases, some people having a mental breakdown just need someone that actually go take the time and listen.”
Since the incident, she has received recognition for her efforts, but Jones says there’s a more important message she would like to send out.
“I just want to say thank you. I do see the words of encouragement. I’m going to continue to do my job every day. You know, the day-to-day tasks, they may come. Um, as a community let’s take mental health serious more seriously,” Jones said.
If you know someone going through a mental health crisis who may need support, BRPD recommends calling or texting 988 or visit the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
