Providence, RI– On September 8th at approximately 1403 hours, Patrolman Ibrahim Yousif was dispatched to Salmon Street for a report of a suicidal male on the roof of a three-story building, threatening to jump as part of an attempt to end his own life. The subject’s girlfriend reported to police dispatch that he had consumed a large quantity of pills and had also cut himself. Sergeant Dennis O’Brien and Patrolmen Lucio Andreozzi, Louis Salinaro and Raymond Majeau also responded to the scene to assist Patrolman Yousif. Police observed the suicidal male subject standing at the edge of the rooftop at 33 Salmon Street and immediately responded to the roof to assist. The subject appeared to be approximately 6’2” and 400 pounds. Sgt. O’Brien began speaking to the subject, asking him to walk back from the edge of the rooftop, as the subject continued standing at the edge and refused to engage in conversation with police. Officers observed the subject slowly inching closer towards to edge of the roof and continued to speak to him, encouraging him to move backwards for his safety. The subject became highly agitated towards police and appeared to be under the influence of the medication he had ingested, in an attempt to overdose.
As Sgt. O’Brien distracted the subject from his left side and continued to urge him to step back, the other officers were able to surround the subject from his right side and remove him from the edge. The subject proceeded to struggle with police as they tried to restrain him. Officer Thiago Gomes responded to the rooftop to assist officers as they continued to struggle with the subject. After a few moments, the subject was eventually placed into handcuffs for everyone’s safety. The subject remained uncooperative and combative with police while waiting for Providence Fire Department personnel to assist on scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters placed the subject in a medical sled and brought him through a narrow pathway to the door of the roof. The subject was then lifted over the rail and taken down the staircase without further incident. He was transported to RI Hospital for evaluation.
“Had it not been for the quick thinking of our officers, a senseless loss of life could have occurred in this situation,” said Colonel Clements. “I commend these officers for their heroic actions that prevented this person from taking his own life. They reacted quickly and professionally and put their own lives at risk to help someone suffering from a mental health crisis. This was a great job by the PPD and also by the members of the fire department who assisted in this rescue.”