New London Police Help Man In 'Elevated Crisis' On Gold Star Bridge

NEW LONDON, CT — The police department is lauding the actions of detectives who helped save a man who was "in elevated crisis" on the Gold Star Bridge.

Detectives Justin Lawrie, Marco Zandri, and Melissa Schafranski-Broadbent responded to a call for service at 2:52 p.m. Tuesday at the bridge, which connects I-95 and Route 1 over the Thames River.

Through their "effective communication and engagement," the three detectives were able to persuade the man to be take to the hospital.

"The outstanding job by Detectives Lawrie, Zandri, and Schafranski-Broadbent along with the compassion and understanding they exhibited, truly exemplifies the dedication and professionalism we strive for within our department," the department wrote on Facebook. "Their actions not only ensured the safety of the individual in distress but also upheld the values of law enforcement.

"This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role our officers play in maintaining public safety and providing support to those in need."

The department added that successfully de-escalating such a "potentially dangerous situation" requires "empathy and skill (and) is a testament to our training and commitment to our communities."

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