Body cam footage shows Newark cops rescue distraught man threatening to jump into river – NJ.com

Newark police officers helped the save the life of a man who was threatening to jump into the frigid Passaic River from a fence at Riverfront Park on Monday night.

A woman flagged down officers Jocelyn Allen and Kerwin Lovo around 9:45 p.m. near the intersection of Read Street and Raymond Boulevard to report that a man was standing on a fence railing at the park, officials said.

Allen chatted with the man briefly as he straddled the fence, learning that he had daughters and reminding the distraught man that his children needed him.

Moments later as other Newark police officers and Essex County Sheriff’s Officers arrived, the man briefly looked back toward the river and several officers grabbed his clothing to pull the man to safety.

“I commend Officers Allen and Lovo for immediately taking the necessary steps to de-escalate this situation and to save this man’s life,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement. “These officers did an exceptional job in resolving this situation with a singular focus on keeping this individual alive.”

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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