'I genuinely care': Bodycam captures NYPD officer talking woman to safety on Brooklyn Bridge

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Newly released bodycam footage captures the extraordinary efforts of New York Police Department officers who spent nearly an hour helping a woman in distress atop the Brooklyn Bridge before safely bringing her to safety.

The rescue unfolded on Wednesday, July 8, when officers from the NYPD Emergency Service Unit responded to reports of a woman sitting high above the East River on one of the bridge's steel cables.

What followed was a tense yet deeply human exchange that ended with the woman being safely guided away from danger.

NYPD officers rescue woman from Brooklyn Bridge

According to footage shared by the NYPD, the Emergency Service Unit responded at approximately 7:38 pm after receiving multiple reports of a person in distress on the iconic bridge.

The 31-year-old woman, whose identity has not been released, was perched on a steel cable high above the roadway. To reach her, officers secured themselves with safety harnesses and carefully climbed onto the structure.

At least nine officers could be seen positioning themselves along the beam while maintaining communication with the woman. One officer, identified in the footage as Chris, immediately focused on building trust.

"You okay?" he asked. "I just want to talk. What's happening today?"

Rather than rushing the situation, the officers remained patient and calm, allowing the conversation to develop naturally as they worked to gain the woman's confidence.

Officer Christian Yepes led with empathy

As the interaction continued, the officer repeatedly reassured the woman that she was not alone. "I genuinely care, I do," he told her.

Moments later, he added, "I don't know what you're going through, but I want to understand."

The officer also encouraged her to accept assistance, telling her, "The strongest thing you can do right now is accept help. I promise you, that's the strongest thing you can do."

The approach reflected the mindset officers brought to the rescue. Speaking later about the incident, Officer Christian Yepes explained that understanding another person's perspective was essential during moments like these.

“The best way to understand somebody is to put yourself in their shoes…” "You have to try to put yourself in that person's shoes," Yepes told CBS News.

"Yes, we're police officers, but we're just human at the end of the day. You have to try to understand what they're going through." Adding to the remarkable nature of the rescue, Yepes was reportedly only on his third day with the unit.

Woman safely rescued from Brooklyn Bridge

The situation grew increasingly tense as the woman was seen dangling from the steel cable while officers continued speaking with her. Video from the scene showed officers pleading with her while carefully positioning themselves to help.

"Don't do it, don't do it, please," one officer could be heard saying. "I got you. I got you. You're okay."

Moments later, officers were able to pull her back onto the structure and guide her to safety. The woman was then transported to Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn.

Jessica Tisch praises NYPD officers' compassion

Following the rescue, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised the officers involved for their professionalism and compassion.

"High above the East River, NYPD ESU officers climbed onto the Brooklyn Bridge to reach a woman in crisis," Tisch wrote while sharing footage of the incident. "They stayed with her, spoke with her, and waited for the moment they could safely pull her back from the edge."

Tisch later commended the team for the way they handled the situation. "The care, courage, and compassion these officers showed was just extraordinary," she said. "May God bless them."