LAPD Detectives Save the Life of a Suicide Jumper NR14376dm

Los Angeles:  Officers rescue a woman who was attempting to leap to her death yesterday over the Harbor Freeway near downtown.

On October 8, 2014, around 12:15 p.m., two LAPD detectives were in the area of 22nd Street and Figueroa Avenue where they were conducting a follow-up investigation for one of their cases.  Detectives Gerry Loza and John Moreno were stopped for the red light at the intersection of 22nd street and Figueroa Avenue when they saw a woman standing on the overpass of the Harbor Freeway.  She had apparently climbed over the fence and was hanging onto the railing, leaning forward ready to leap onto the active freeway.

Detectives Loza and Moreno exited their car and began to converse with the distraught woman.  While talking to the woman in Spanish, they were able to determine that she was from Guatamala.  The woman professed that she was unable to find work and she wanted to kill herself.  Both Loza and Moreno spent over 30 minutes talking to the woman, keeping her calm and reassuring her they were there to help her.  The detectives requested additional resources, including the Los Angeles Fire Department who responded with a ladder truck to assist the woman off of the overpass.

Detective Moreno and Detective Loza worked together to convince the woman that she had many options for her future and that ending her life was not the answer.  The woman was ultimately coaxed from her precarious position and taken to a hospital for further medical evaluation.

Detective Gerry Loza and Detective John are commended for their swift action, great lifesaving skills and compassion for a person who was obviously in need of help.

For further information about this incident, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.  The involved detectives will be available today from 3:00–5:00 p.m. for interview if desired.