Body camera footage taken on April 12 shows Officer Antonio Richardson speaking with a man who was standing on the edge of the bridge \u2014 getting ready to jump. Richardson, along with six other patrol officers, responded to the emergency.<\/p>\n
\u2018No Contact\u2019 On The Rise: Nearly 2 In 5 Americans Cut Ties With Loved Ones<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Whatever you’re going through<\/a>, man, you can get through it,” Richardson can be heard saying to the man during the drama.<\/p>\n Read On The Fox News App<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Now listen, man. Listen. Listen. You can get through this,” he told the individual as police lights flashed behind them.<\/p>\n The arc of a man\u2019s life changed dramatically after a Jacksonville police officer, along with a team of other officers, stepped in to help an individual in crisis on the Dames Point Bridge in Florida.<\/p>\n (iStock)<\/p>\n “Let’s talk about it for a minute.\u2026 You believe in prayer<\/a>, I know that.\u2026 Just touch my hand. Just touch my hand, man, I’m praying with you,” said Richardson to the man.<\/p>\n The officer, for about 40 minutes, kept up a steady stream of conversation and outreach to the man, who was teetering on the edge of the bridge, looking at the water below him.<\/p>\n Dementia Risk Could Be Tied To Your Mindset And Outlook On Life, Study Suggests<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Richardson told the man, as he kept his arm outstretched, “If you jump, you’re going to hurt other people. And they’re going to be hurting just like you’re hurting now.\u2026 The cycle’s gotta stop.”<\/p>\n Finally, after many moments, the man stepped away from the bridge and walked toward the officer \u2014 and they hugged. Other officers then stepped in as well.<\/p>\n Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Appearing on “Fox & Friends” to discuss the incident this week, Richardson said, “When I got the call\u2026 I was just there to stop the traffic. And then a couple of other officers who knew my position as a pastor<\/a> asked me to come over and talk with the guy. \u2026 Nothing was scripted.\u2026 I did not want to see him jump,” he added.<\/p>\n The officer, who is also a pastor (not pictured), said, “I was praying. And God spared his life. And we connected. And as a result of that connection, he didn’t jump.”<\/p>\n “I just felt within myself that God was going to spare his life \u2014 and he did.”<\/p>\n He also said, “I was praying. And God spared his life. And we connected. And as a result of that connection, he didn’t jump.”<\/p>\n Officer Richardson has more than 30 years of ministry experience, according to reports. He said that after the man was safe and the immediate drama had passed, the officer called his wife<\/a>, sat in his patrol car \u2014 “and wept like a baby.”<\/p>\n Click Here To Download The Fox News App<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Pastor Jesse Bradley of the Seattle area, who runs Grace Community Church and is the founder of the ministry Just Choose Hope<\/a>, watched the video of the dramatic incident.<\/p>\n He told Fox News Digital, “This powerful story reminds us that we can all love our neighbors and be part of the solution in our nation. Every person is made in God’s image, loved by Jesus \u2014 and life is a gift.”<\/p>\n Jacksonville Police Officer Antonio Richardson, at left, shared the emotional story on “Fox & Friends” of how he talked a man off the edge of a bridge in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 12.<\/p>\n He added, “We are made to receive and give hope<\/a> daily, where we live, work, learn and play.”<\/p>\n Bradley also said that people should “be intentional about pursuing others who are in need. Take relationship risks. In the parable of the good Samaritan<\/a>, there were two religious people who played it safe and remained in their comfort zone. We have a greater calling,” he said.<\/p>\n Click Here For More Health Stories<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Only the Samaritan was willing to go to the man in pain and bring restoration. Let’s be people who cross the road to provide. Let’s be faithful to God. Love is intentional, takes action \u2014 and makes sacrifices. Let’s love and live like Jesus.”<\/p>\n “Instead of being separated from God, we can have peace with God and a full pardon through Jesus,” said a pastor, reflecting on the rescue that recently occurred in Jacksonville, Florida, during a man’s mental health crisis.<\/p>\n Bradley observed that the inspiring story out of Florida “points us to the greatest rescue story of all. Jesus left heaven to pursue us.”<\/p>\n Test Yourself With Our Latest Lifestyle Quiz<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n He said, “We have all sinned against God and need a Savior. Jesus died on the cross, offering forgiveness, and rose from the grave to give us eternal life.<\/p>\n “Instead of being separated from God,” he added, “we can have peace with God<\/a> and a full pardon through Jesus. This is grace, an undeserved gift. We will be with Jesus forever \u2014 an everlasting rescue.”<\/p>\n![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2539a87c7c1a1ec585448c63127907cf.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Holding](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/63d361ad5ddf1d354d9cb9ed9a3785f5.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Jacksonville](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a89f14f9d0e32f0f4e15dfd79612be91.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b31cbbe8b4d17a566215081cd60faa02.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n