Earlier today, Sylva Police Department responded to a critical incident involving a young woman in crisis on the rooftop of a building in the Walmart shopping plaza. When officers arrived, she was standing on the ledge, visibly and verbally agitated and expressing her intent to jump.
Our officers immediately began negotiating with her, with one goal in mind:
Keeping her safe
We are incredibly grateful for the swift and unified response from our public safety partners:
- Jackson County Sheriff's Office
- Sylva Fire Department
- Harris EMS
- Cullowhee Fire Department, who brought in their platform ladder truck and department members to assist
While SPD Lieutenant Tammy Pavey engaged the young woman on the roof, SPD's Sergeant Brandon Flesch, and JCSO's Sergeant Ty Foxx, and Deputy Ryan Collins acted quickly and quietly to get a fire department ladder, get up on the building and bravely pull her away from the ledge and back to safety. Despite her continued attempts to return to the edge, this team of first responders remained calm, focused, and determined.
With no safe way down from the roof, our Community Care Social Worker, Galadriel LaVere, was called in to help de-escalate the situation. Thanks to her intervention and the outstanding work by Harris EMS, the young woman was safely placed into the bucket of the truck and lowered to the ground, where a team of Harris EMS and SFD members were waiting to transport her to Harris Regional Hospital for evaluation.
This was a high-risk, emotionally charged situation, and our officers and partners showed compassion. We are proud of their actions and grateful for their dedication to protecting life.
"I'm so proud of my officers and the team of community partners that supported SPD today! Jackson County is a special place, and the hearts of our first responders are second to none." - Chief Chris Hatton
The Sylva Police Department's Community Care team will continue to follow up with this young woman and her family to ensure she receives the support she needs.
“Sylva PD doesn’t always do things the way other law enforcement agencies do and that’s by design. The number one goal today was her safety, as well as ours.” - Chris Hatton, Chief of Police
Please join us in thanking all the brave men and women who helped bring this young lady to safety.
Image: Sylva Police Department