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Trooper takes time to keep woman from jumping off bridge

PERU, Ind. (WANE) – A woman who was considering jumping off a bridge into the Wabash River changed her mind, state police say, after kind words from a trooper.

According to Indiana State Police (ISP), Master Trooper Joe Swisher was on a routine patrol on US 124, east of Peru, on Thursday, when around 4 p.m. he noticed the woman who had climbed over the bridge’s railing and appeared to be preparing to jump into the river, about 30 feet below.

State police officials said Trooper Swisher stopped on the bridge and spoke to the 21-year-old woman from Kokomo while officers from the Peru Police Department blocked traffic on both ends of the bridge.

ISP reported the following encounter between the trooper and the woman:

“Trooper Swisher stopped on the bridge and started an approximately 15 minute conversation with the very despondent woman. She indicated she was going to harm herself by jumping from the bridge. She did not believe anyone cared about her. Trooper Swisher told the woman he cared about her and extended his hand for the woman to take. She took his hand. At this point, Swisher grabbed her arm and assisted her from the ledge of the bridge. She climbed over the railing and hugged the very relieved trooper.”

The woman was then taken to a hospital, cleared medically and transferred to a counseling center in Logansport. Trooper Swisher stayed with the woman until about 7 p.m. ISP said he wanted her to know he really did care about what happened to her.

Master Trooper Swisher is a 21 year veteran of the Indiana State Police. He is assigned to the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.