Dramatic bodycam footage showing a New York Police Department officer pleading with a man not to commit suicide displays the emotional toll officers typically face in the field. NYPD Officer Carl Fayette’s body camera captured his attempts with fellow Officer Eleodoro Mata to talk a man off the ledge literally.

NYPD 26tth Precinct wrote in an X post, “Police Officers Fayette and Mata responded to a suicidal male who wanted to jump from an overpass. They spoke to the man with genuine empathy to let him know they cared and that help was available.” Fortunately, the 40-minute quest was successful, with the NYPD 26th Precinct thanking its officers for “amazing work” saving the man’s life.

Fayette told the man during the ordeal, “I believe you’re a good man. You’re a good man. I promise you, brother, I promise you we will do anything in our power to help you.” The officer also said he’s been in the man’s shoes and knows how he feels. Fayette said, “It’s not worth it. Life is beautiful.” While Fayette remained calm and collected during the ordeal, a stunning moment unfolded once the suicidal man was brought to safety.

Police Officers Fayette and Mata responded to a suicidal male who wanted to jump from an overpass.

They spoke to the man with genuine empathy to let him know they cared and that help was available, & with the assistance of our @NYPDSpecialops, they got him help.

Amazing work! pic.twitter.com/6Gw0PsAEX5

— NYPD 26th Precinct (@NYPD26Pct) October 11, 2023

Fayette broke down in tears, with other emergency workers comforting him. The moment shows how such high-stress situations impact police officers, even when the officers appear unimpacted at the moment. Stephanie Samuels, a psychotherapist who works with police officers through her non-profit organization Copline, told WNYW-TV she sees the emotional toll cops routinely face.

“These are human beings that every day do a job, that we make them not human,” she said, praising Fayette and his fellow officer. Samuels is the founder of a non-profit crisis service called Copline. Officers can call 1-800-copline to get 24/7  confidential counseling from retired cops. She added, “The concern for them is always that if they seek help, that there will be some type of retaliatory action that’s done for having done so.”

Samuels said that when she watched the bodycam video, she was impressed with how Officers Fayette and Mata responded. “What I really saw was an officer that had connected with somebody was absolutely relieved that it worked out the way it did and kind of an emotional dump that I think many of us have experienced in our own lives after a situation is resolved and resolved well.”

Pray for the man on the bridge and the officers as they navigate the wake of the harrowing situation.