Video shows NYPD officer break into tears after talking man off ledge: 'Come back, brother, come back'

A suicidal man had a good view of the sunset over the Hudson River from his perch on the side of a Manhattan overpass earlier this month. It would likely have been the last thing he'd ever see — apart from the pavement below — were it not for New York Police Department officers Carl Fayette and Eleodor Mata.

The NYPD released body camera footage this week showing the officers' dramatic intervention on Oct. 5 along with their subsequent efforts to process this victory over death, noting, "Police Officers frequently interact with people having the worst day of their lives."

In the video, a distraught man can be seen leaning over the edge of a raised portion of Riverside Drive in Manhattanville near West 130th Street, several stories above the ground below and partitioned from officers by a railing and a fence.

Fayette calmly told him, "I've been in your shoes man. I've been in your shoes man, right. It's not worth it, right. ... There is solutions. There is a way to actually get out of this situation."

"I believe that you're a good man. You're a good man," continued Fayette. "And I promise you, brother. I promise you: We will do anything in our power to help you. Please, listen to me. I've been in your shoes, brother."

"I care about you and I care about your life," added the officer. "Life is beautiful. The sun is beautiful. ... Don't give up on me, brother."

Mata repeatedly reinforced Fayette's words of support, saying, "There's plenty of resources out here for you. ... We're here for you. Everybody's here for you. We're gonna help you. You are stronger than this, like Carl told you many times. You are. You can defeat this with our help. Just come back brother, come back."

The officers carried on with their impassioned pleas for nearly 40 minutes until harnessed Emergency Service Unit officers were finally able to rescue the man.

After the ESU secured the prospective jumper, Fayette retreated into the road, audibly overwhelmed by the incident. He took a knee and sobbed, ostensibly shedding happy tears in the company of fellow officers.

The 26th Precinct said in a statement on Meta, "Both officers demonstrated great compassion and care while keeping the male engaged, allowing ESU Officers an opportunity grab the man & bring him to safety."

On X, the precinct noted the officers had spoken to the suicidal man with "genuine empathy."

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free, confidential help line available across the United States. It is offered in hundreds of languages and can be utilized via phone, text or chat. Those in need just have to dial or text 988.

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