September 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
An intense situation unfolded on Sligo Bridge early this morning (Thursday) as a suicidal man threatened to jump.
Highway 70 at the bridge was closed for two and a half hours as officers tried to talk the man out of it. He was later safely taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a mental evaluation. The name of the man has not been disclosed.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department issued the following media release:
“Today September the 9th, 2021 the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a possible suicidal male wanting to jump off the bridge at 4:32 A.M. After officers arrived on scene at 4:39 A.M. they came into contact with a middle aged male standing on the bridge. As officers attempted to talk to the individual he became very irritated and emotional and stepped up onto the ledge of the bridge. Officers notified TWRA, and the DeKalb Rescue Squad to be on standby under the bridge and in the area as a precaution. This caused Sparta Highway to be shut down for approximately two and a half hours. Several THP officers were also on scene and helped officers of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department take the male individual safely into custody. The male individual was transported to the DeKalb ER for a mental evaluation. We would like to thank TDOT, TWRA , The DeKalb Rescue Squad, Central Dispatch, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol for their assistance in this incident”.