Contra Costa County CHP officer Thomas Westropp-Bennett is hailed a hero after saving a man on the Benicia Bridge.
CHP says officers responded to a call of a man who appeared distraught on the ledge of the Benicia Bridge Thursday afternoon. They say he was contemplating suicide by jumping off the bridge and officer Westropp-Bennett began talking to the man, attempting to get him down.
CHP Contra Costa posted about the incident on their Facebook page:
CHP talks down Jumper from Bridge
Today at 10:30 am, (11/17/2016) Contra Costa CHP received a call of a distraught male on the ledge of the Benicia Bridge contemplating suicide by jumping off. Contra Costa CHP Officers quickly arrived on scene and began speaking with the distraught man, who was in tears on the ledge. With great effort and care, Officer Westropp-Bennet was able to successfully talk the man down from the ledge by relating some of his own personal difficulties in life and helping the man understand that there are people that care about him and can help him. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
At the end of the day, we are all connected in this journey of life and we are all community members. We hope this man gets back on track to a prosperous and healthy life.

Contra Costa County CHP officer Thomas Westropp-Bennett is pictured with a man he saved from jumping off the Benicia Bridge on Nov. 17, 2016. (CHP/Twitter)
Contra Costa County CHP officer Thomas Westropp-Bennett is is hailed a hero after saving a man on the Benicia Bridge.
CHP says officers responded to a call of a man who appeared distraught on the ledge of the Benicia Bridge Thursday afternoon. They say he was contemplating suicide by jumping off the bridge and officer Westropp-Bennett began talking to the man, attempting to get him down.
CHP Contra Costa posted about the incident on their Facebook page:
Many are calling Westropp-Bennett a hero on social media.
The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.