LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville Metro Police officer stopped a firefighter from jumping off the Lincoln Bridge.

A week ago, an LMPD officer responded to a call about a car being pulled over on the side of the Lincoln Bridge. 

When LMPD Officer Ali Thomas arrived, he noticed a man on the other side of the rail. He stepped up immediately.

Thomas used to be a firefighter himself, serving in the Louisville Fire Department for over 20 years. He joined LMPD in 2021.

The man in crisis on the bridge was wearing a T-shirt with the fire department logo. Thomas approached him swiftly but cautiously so that the two could hear each other speak.

The two bonded over being firefighters. Six minutes later, Thomas helped pull him to safety.

"It's a huge relief," Thomas said. "I helped somebody out. I don't know. It's real emotional just talking about it now, you can probably tell in my voice. I just didn't want nobody to jump."

Thomas said when he was a firefighter he was part of a rescue where a person in crisis jumped. Now, he was at the top of the bridge and was able to prevent a tragedy.

"When I was on the fire department I was down in the water and so if they were to jump, I was part of that rescue but now being a police man, I am on the top," Thomas said. "I get to see a different side. I get to build a bond, talk to them. I just didn't want anybody to jump."

For a split second, Thomas said he even considered jumping in after him if he had jumped.

But in this case, it wasn't necessary.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 for the national suicide hotline. 

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