Video Captures Stillwater Officers Help Distressed OSU Student Sitting On Ledge Of 5-Story Building

Two Stillwater police officers helped stop an Oklahoma State University student from jumping off of a five-story building.

When officers Kurt Merrill and Damian Neiswanger responded, the student was sitting at the edge of a parking garage. 

Video captures the two officers slowly approaching the student and trying to communicate with him.

"He was very withdrawn, very low volume of speech," said Merrill. "We were able to get close to him with permission." 

"I've had my fair share of calls of people that are in a mental crisis, but it's never amounted to something like this before," Neiswanger said.

The officers continued to speak with the student and tried to do anything to get him off the ledge. 

"Initially getting up there and talking with him, I really wanted to be able to get on his level, know what his name is," Neiswanger said. 

But as they continued talking, the student suddenly leaned forward and Merrill knew they had to act quickly. 

"At that time, I was able to circle in behind him, kind of out of his vision," Merrill said.

That’s when he grabbed the student and pulled him to safety. 

"It was a huge load off our shoulders," Neiswanger said. "It's a lot easier to save someone's life than having to go tell somebody their life couldn't be saved."