WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — It seems we often focus on how words can divide and hurt people, but sometimes knowing what to say at the right time can have the opposite effect.
Deputy James Robinson only had seconds to make a plan when he saw a man sitting on the ledge of a highway. His body camera video shows how the interaction played out.
“Come over here and talk to me for a moment. Please. I just want to know what’s up that’s it,” said Robinson. “Can you talk to me? Talk to me. do me a favor though. I won’t touch you, I won’t do anything to you. Can you come back on this side for me?”
It happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday on Route 60 in Williamsburg. Robinson was the first person to find the man on the ledge. His body camera video shows the man looking his way — but not responding.
“Once I realized that nothing was going to work, I just knew I had to step in and do something,” said Robinson. “You just don’t want him to spend too much more time thinking about going over or giving himself reasons why he doesn’t need to be here anymore.”
Robinson came up with a plan, pretending a car was pulling over. He said, “Let me get this guy going okay? I’m going to get this guy going real quick and I’m going to see what;s going on, alright?”
Then, he pulled the man off the ledge and onto the ground.
“I took one arm around his chest and the other arm around his shoulder and pulled him backwards toward me,” Robinson said.
It was a touching moment as both men shared a sense of relief.
“You got a lot left, you got a lot in you,” Robinson told the man.
Their interaction lasted less than four minutes. But those four minutes made a difference for both men, leaving them forever changed.
Robinson said, “To me, it’s not really a job. This is what I love to do.”
James City County medics took the man to the hospital. We’re told he is doing better.
RELATED: Mental health and suicide prevention organizations seeing increase of people seeking help
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime at 1-800-273-8255.
