Kirtland volunteers intervene to prevent possible suicide

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

On Feb. 5, 2022, a senior NCO and a federal civilian employee assigned to the 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office were in the right place at the right time to intervene with a homeless man and prevent a possible suicide attempt.

Master Sgt. Rob Smith, PA superintendent, and Eva Blaylock, PA community engagement chief, were among about 15 volunteers with the Who I Am Foundation (https://greatnonprofits.org/org/who-i-am-foundation), distributing donations of water, clothing and hygiene items to homeless people in downtown Albuquerque.

During the event, they saw a man straddling the ledge of an overpass for elevated train tracks at First Street and Central, about 20 feet above vehicle traffic on a busy street.

Smith described what happened next.

“We didn’t discuss what we were going to do – we just went and did stuff. Eva ran into the street to slow down traffic, and I ran up on the sidewalk, to at least hope that I could get within shouting distance of this guy. Then I found a way to climb up on the overpass with him. I was hoping a train didn’t come by. He was emotional. What I wanted to do was get him away from the ledge.”

The south-side Chicago native continued with the story.

“I get him away from the ledge and we start talking. Within the first 10 seconds, I could tell that something was wrong – he wasn’t in the right state of mind. He said he felt like he didn’t have any other choice. I told him, ‘You do have a choice. I need you to come talk to me – let’s talk about your choices. There’s got to be another way to get through whatever it is you’re getting through right now.’”

The 21-year Air Force veteran said, “We stayed and talked to him – wanted to keep him engaged, because we didn’t know what he was going to do – didn’t know what he’d been through or what he was capable of. We didn’t want to leave him alone. We walked and talked with him. He seemed to feel comfortable talking to us. I’m glad we were there to be able to help.”

Smith and Blaylock stayed with the man, getting him food and drinks, as well as letting him talk to them as caring listeners, until an Albuquerque Police Department officer trained in intervention techniques arrived at the scene and took over assisting him.

The Albuquerque city government offers services to help the homeless. The Family and Community Services Department is a key player in the city's effort to end homelessness. Services include prevention, outreach, shelter and housing programs, and supportive services. For more information, go to https://www.cabq.gov/family/services/homeless-services.