Maryland NRP Officer Prevents A Second Suicide In Two Months

MARYLAND — A police officer with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources prevented a suicide for the second time in two months, the agency announced Wednesday.

According to the department, Officer First Class Jacob Gerczak was on patrol near the Chesapeake City Bridge on Dec. 29 when he saw a woman leaning over the safety railing of the bridge around 6:30 p.m.

The five-year veteran, who in October had rescued another woman after she jumped into a river, recognized the signs that she might be suicidal and turned his patrol vehicle to approach the woman.

NRP said Officer Gerczak could see the woman was distraught and crying. As he approached her, the he calmly asked if they could talk. Fortunately, the woman was willing to talk and confided that she was depressed.

The officer convinced her to step away from the railing and walk to his patrol vehicle to continue their conversation. As the woman stepped away from the barrier, she became very emotional, the agency said.

According to the department, Officer Gerczak remained supportive and after a lengthy conversation, the woman hugged and thanked him, saying she had planned to jump from the bridge.

Pictured above: Officer First Class Jacob Gerczak

After the officer reassured her and offered other helpful resources, the woman was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

“Officer First Class Gerczak has shown true dedication as an NRP officer. His commitment to protecting Maryland’s citizens is invaluable,” NRP Superintendent Col. Adrian Baker said in a news release. “NRP is grateful to compassionate and dedicated officers in our agency that would put their lives on the line to save another.”

In late October, NRP said Gerczak was on patrol in the Chesapeake City area when he noticed a woman standing on the end of a pier overlooking the Bohemia River. Moments later, the woman jumped from the dock into the river.

Without giving it a second thought, the department said he immediately jumped into the chilly waters to rescue her. After calmly speaking and reassuring the terrified woman, he safely removed her from the water by holding her and swimming back to the pier.

After that rescue, Gov. Larry Hogan recognized Gerczak for his bravery with a governor's citation.