Kevin Briggs has saved hundreds of lives. He’s a guardian on the Golden Gate Bridge for the California Highway Patrol. The bridge is a magnificent monument to the spirit, courage, and ingenuity, of humanity and the to San Francisco Bay Area that people travel from all over the world to experience and enjoy.
Sadly, for about two people a month the bridge attracts them for another reason. They are despondent and go to the bridge to end their lives.
Kevin Briggs is a soft-spoken man who is there to help despondent people to make a different choice. And he has greatly succeeded in his goal, saving hundreds of lives, and losing only one. Even that one person lived for 45 minutes to an hour longer than he probably would have and appeared grateful that the last person to whom he spoke was kind, compassionate, respectful, and understanding to him the whole time. He then reached up, shook Mr. Briggs hand, and said it was time for him to go now to join his grandmother. And then he was gone.
But hundreds of people are alive today because Kevin Briggs was there for them when they felt the pull of the deep and dark abyss.
Many people wonder if what they do in this world make a difference. I believe that’s a question that Kevin Briggs never has to ask himself.
Mr. Briggs said, “I try to make people look up, as they are usually looking at the water.” Getting people to look up is a wonderful calling.
He added, “That’s what we do. It’s why we’re here.” I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you, Sergeant Briggs for making the world a better place.
http://screen.yahoo.com/golden-gate-guardian-000000926.html
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
That’s a wonderful story…not many people would be aware of that situation…like me for instance…Diane
Thank you for your comment, Diane. I live near the bridge and was aware of the problem, but wasn’t aware that a person or unit had been trained to specifially deal with it or that their success rate was so high.
Changing the subject, thank you for hanging in there with me even when it is too long between my visits to your site. I’ve noticed that you keep reading and commenting even after others have given up and moved on, and I just wanted you to know that I’ve noticed and appreciated it. As the number of readers and followers has grown, my turnaround time has been stretched beyond what is expected or even reasonable. I could either keep trying to keep everyone happy with trying to keep up with most comments, etc–and failing miserably, and more miserably every week–or I could try a different approach. I’ve decided to do the latter. So I plan to be the most focused on my most loyal readers, and then when time is available to sporadically connect with as many others as I can. I wish I could be completely responsive to everyone, but I’ve found that is impossible with my other responsibilites and activities. I am still trying to respond to everyone who leaves a comment though.
Russ
I enjoy your blogs Russ…Diane
Thank you, Diane. I enjoy your posts and your blog too.
Russ
What a wonderful story. I remember seeing years ago on People are Talking with Ross McGowan and Ann (can’t remember her last name) a guest who had jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and half way down decided he wanted to live after all. I wonder if everyone who does it feels that way.
Thank you for your comment and for sharing this interesting story. As I understand it, very few jumpers survive the fall and the ones who do are in real bad shape physically. I’m glad that he decided he wanted to live. He could do a good thing by continuing to tell people of his experience. In that way he may be able to save lives too.
Russ
Yes he certainly could. I hope that is what he is doing. He got a second chance and maybe that’s why. So he could warn others. 😀
:-D!