A Leesburg police officer is being praised for helping a man who was threatening to end his life Sunday night.
The officer responded to the city’s parking garage at 107 W Meadow St. and found the man at the top level of the structure, standing on the roof near the northeast stairwell. The officer started talking with the man in hopes of building a rapport and getting him to come down, a report says.
During that time, additional personnel from the department’s Crisis Negotiations Team responded from their homes and were able to gather additional information from friends and family who had arrived on scene.
After approximately one hour of steadfast negotiation, the man slowly began stepping back from the edge and ultimately came down to the awaiting negotiators.
The police department encourages those who need help to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.