Some Christmas Cheer

Phew - Christmas is hectic.  Having family from far away visit; helping those in need; spreading the cheer all at once, it can seem like a lot.  Then I had the following post show up on my news feed in FB and I felt I had to post it here.  What a way to spread the cheer.  If only people would concentrate more on these sort of heartwarming situations then other confusing and difficult ones that end in tragedy.  Would those demonstrative sports players be so courageous as to herald this white officer rather than put their hands in the air as if all white officers hate them?  I wonder.  Merry Christmas and God bless Officer Briggs and to the young man who recovered and honored him.




From:  Julie Haener KTVU

8-years ago, CHP Officer Kevin Briggs talked this young man out of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.

That young man's name is Kevin Berthia.
Today he is 30 years old and married with 2 children.
This week he presented Officer Briggs with an award on behalf of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The story of how Officer Briggs talked Kevin down is remarkable.

As you can see in the picture, Kevin is literally one step away from jumping to his death. But for more than hour, the officer listened to Kevin pour his heart out about his troubles and told him, “I know you think things are bad, but they can get better.”

Kevin says, “Officer Briggs never made me feel guilty for the situation I was in. He made feel like, I understand why you are here, but there are alternatives”

Kevin is just one of countless lives Briggs has saved over his 23 year career.

Briggs, who was promoted to Sergeant five years ago, is humble about what he does. He says, ”they make the decision, when they step back over that rail it takes a tremendous amount of courage”

I salute Sergeant Briggs!

Photo: The San Francisco Chronicle, John Storey