Florida deputies rescue distressed veteran expressing suicidal thoughts
· Toronto Sun
See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source
Visit mwafrika.life for more information.
Florida deputies rescued a U.S. military veteran in distress after he was spotted in a wooded swamp in Hillsborough County on Friday.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies were called to the Van Dyke Rd. area to search for a veteran who had fled on foot after expressing suicidal thoughts.
The deputies found the man deep in a wooded swamp, while standing in the water.
In bodycam footage shared by the sheriff’s office, a deputy patiently reassures the man that he is not in trouble and that help was available.
Spotting the man behind the tree, the deputy tells the man, “Come here, dude. We’re here to help you. We’re not trying to cause you harm. We just want to help you.”
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
‘Tell me everything’s fine’
The man slowly walks toward the deputy, who asks him if he can shake his hand. When the two shake hands, the deputy thanks the veteran, who starts sobbing.
“Just get me out. Just tell me everything’s fine,” he says.
The deputy continues to comfort the man, telling him, “Everything’s fine,” and reassuring him that he was not alone.
The video ends with the deputy helping the man out of the swamp.
The veteran was subsequently “connected with the care he needs,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post
They added that, “If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211.”