CONTACT: Officer Robert Pedregon
(424) 646-5591
AIRPORT POLICE USE DISTRACTION TO STOP SUICIDAL JUMPER AT LAX
(Los Angeles, California – September 19, 2016) At 8:20 p.m. on September 14, 2016 Los Angeles Airport Police received a call of a man on the ledge of the 401 parking structure of Terminal 4 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The first officers on scene were shocked to see a young Korean speaking man dangling over the edge of the four story parking structure. Immediately Officers Michael Dear and Daniel Krockel built a rapport with the distraught man, utilizing the translation applications on their smart phones. While Officer Dear orchestrated the response of additional units and maintained communications with responding LAFD Fire/Rescue, Officer Krockel engaged the man and through their efforts were able to persuade the man to climb back onto the narrow ledge and walk a few steps closer. With the man still teetering on the ledge, Officer Krockel maintained his attention while Officer Dear devised a plan of distraction with other officers on scene. Officers coaxed the man to walk a few steps closer to look at the translation app on Officer Dear’s smart phone when in one rapid succession Bike Officer Bart Castro followed by Officer Daniel Krockel jumped onto the ledge of the parking structure and grabbed the would be suicide victim, secured him and lifted him over the wall to a group of supporting Airport Police Officers.
The suicidal man was immediately taken to a mental care facility for evaluation and treatment.
“I am never surprised by the brave and quick actions of our officers. Time and time again they respond to dynamic situations and with precision they coordinate an effective and appropriate response,” said Airport Police Chief David Maggard.
In addition to its nearly 550 sworn officers, the Los Angeles Airport Police includes 430 security officers and nearly 200 civilian professional staff. As the largest aviation law enforcement agency in the nation, the Airport Police patrols and secures the third busiest commercial airport in the U.S, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and LA/Ontario International (ONT), and Van Nuys (VNY) airports.
