Off-Duty Firefighter Saves the Life of Distraught Man

Two Adelanto Men Arrested for Shooting in Busy Mall Parking Lot

Victorville Man Arrested After Using Dating Apps To Sexually Assault and Rob Victims

RIVERSIDE – Last week the quick and caring action of an off-duty CAL FIRE firefighter saved the life of a man who was prepared to take his own life.

On the afternoon of Friday, November 18, 2016, Firefighter Hector Barragan noticed that a jacket and shoes were lying on the ground next to the roadway wall in the City of Riverside near the 60 freeway and the Orange Street Bridge. He looked up and saw a man sitting on the edge of the bridge with a rope; one end tied around his neck and the other knotted off to the bridge railing.

After seeing this, Firefighter Barragan called 911 for assistance and went up the embankment and talked to the distraught man. Soon after, he was able to calm the man down and the man removed the rope from his neck and backed away from the railing. “Firefighter Barragan is to be highly commended for his actions without direction of a supervisor, his successful conversational engagement building trust with the distraught man and the result of the man abandoning his attempt at suicide,” Said CAL FIRE Riverside Unit and County Fire Chief, John R. Hawkins. “I am very proud of Firefighter Hector Barragan. He truly practiced servant leadership and saved a man’s life”

CHP officers arrived at the scene and took the man into custody. He was transported to the hospital, where he will be evaluated prior to release.

For late-breaking news, follow 24/7 Headline News on our Los Angeles County Facebook group and/or our Inland Empire Facebook group. If you like what we are doing and want regular updates on your facebook stream like our Facebook Fan Page. You may also follow 24/7 Headline News on Twitter!