NYPD officers rescue teen who tried to jump into East River: 'You have to be compassionate'

LOWER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) -- As the city buzzed with energy at this past weekend’s half marathon, a different kind of race unfolded along the East River where several NYPD officers found themselves on an urgent mission to save a life. 

The chilling moment, caught on police body-worn camera, appears to show a 19-year-old woman dangling just inches over the East River, on the brink of the unimaginable.  

"We wanted to be there for her and save her from that crisis that she was going through,” said Officer Maria Mella.  

What started as a day of celebration as Sergeant Thomas Ferraro, Officer Jonathan Mazza, Officer Mella, and Officer Crisbel Lopez worked security for Sunday’s half marathon, took a somber turn when a passerby alerted them about a woman on the edge of the nearby seawall. 

“I was just trying to speak with her, tell her that she’ll be ok,” Officer Mazza said. “Everybody’s having a bad day every once in a while. Not to do what she was thinking about doing.” 

The officers could be seen gripping onto the woman's wrists as she attempted to jump into the frigid waters below. In a harrowing moment, Sergeant Ferraro climbed over the rail, getting as close to the woman as possible. 

“She actually hoisted herself off the ledge and she started to fall into the water,” Sgt. Ferraro said. “The officers there then reached underneath this railing right here and grabbed her hands.” 

In the woman's darkest moment, soon came a glimmer of hope as the NYPD’s Harbor Unit arrived to her aid, eventually grabbing her body and placing her onto a boat.  

“Every second counts with a situation like this and you just have to keep reassessing the situation and making the adjustments accordingly,” said Sgt. Ferraro.  

The officers said the rescue went beyond the realm of their jobs and was a human effort to save a life. 

“You have to be compassionate,” Officer Lopez said. “I also have family members, so you have to put yourself in those shoes.” 

NYPD is urging anyone in distress to know that help is always out there.  

“In that moment you probably feel that you’re alone but you’re not," said Officer Mazza. “There’s hundreds, thousands of people out there going through certain different feelings like that but there’s always somebody to talk to.” 

According to police, the 19-year-old was taken to a hospital after the incident where she was able to get help. They encourage anyone who needs help to call the suicide hotline number at 988, and if you are in immediate danger, call 911.