Hero Cops Who Talked Man Off Verrazano Bridge Get Their Due

When a distraught man was threatening to jump from the ledge of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on July 23, it took the quick thinking and compassion of two police officers, who spoke the man’s native Cantonese, to talk him out of ending his life.

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Officer Eddie Fung and NYPD Officer Yi Huang were the two men responsible for preventing the suicide. The officers, along with the distraught man, were all born in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately, after the harrowing incident, the officers’ identities were mixed-up and officials were unable to determine which officer was to receive accolades for the heroic deed. Turns out, it was the help of both that saved a life.

During the four-hour ordeal, Fung started the conversation with the jumper, and after a few hours Huang took over.

“At the beginning he ignored me, he was not responding,” said Fung to the New York Daily News. “After an hour, he said he had family and financial problems. He loved his daughter very much, so I focused on her.”

After about 2 p.m., Huang got there.

You don’t realize how tiring it is,” Huang said of conversing at the top of his lungs. “I relieved Eddie.”

Earlier this month, Officer Huang was honored by the City Council with a ceremony.

“Today we honor Officer Yi Huang for going above and beyond the call of duty,” Councilman Vincent Gentile said to the Brooklyn Eagle. “Officer Huang reminds us all why the New York City Police Department truly is New York’s Finest.”

Perhaps Fung is next in line for a ceremony for his contributions as well.