Florida police officer spends nearly an hour talking man off bridge through prayer
A Jacksonville police officer spent nearly 40 minutes talking a man down from the edge of the Dames Point Bridge in Florida on April 12, 2026. Officer Antonio Richardson, who is also a pastor, used prayer and conversation to build a connection with the distressed individual. The man eventually stepped back from the ledge, and the two shared a hug before other officers assisted.
- ▪Officer Antonio Richardson responded to a call about a man threatening to jump from the Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida.
- ▪Body camera footage shows Richardson speaking with the man for about 40 minutes, offering prayer and emotional support.
- ▪Richardson, a pastor with over 30 years of ministry experience, said he felt God guided him during the encounter.
- ▪The man ultimately stepped away from the ledge and was safely taken into custody by responding officers.
- ▪Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church in Seattle praised Richardson's actions as a reflection of intentional love and faith.
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US News Florida police officer spends nearly an hour talking man off bridge through prayer By Melissa Rudy, Fox News Published May 3, 2026, 3:26 a.m. ET Originally Published by: How eating habits could influence Parkinson’s disease risk, according to experts 'Ozempic breath' sparks questions as users report strange side effect Copperhead snake bite leaves mayor’s wife in 'excruciating pain,' he reveals The arc of a man’s 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 in April. Faith had everything to do with it.
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