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PIP police, Bergen sheriff’s officer talk would-be jumper from cliffs

CLIFFVIEW PILOT SCOOP: Palisades Interstate Parkway police, responding to a Dumont woman’s plea for help, rushed to the Palisades above the Hudson River and, with the help of Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino’s K-9 unit, talked the suicidal husband out of jumping, CLIFFVIEW PILOT has learned.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot
Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot

Police found the man in an area just to the right of the stone walls

The woman called Dumont police in a panic Tuesday morning, saying that her husband intended to kill himself by jumping from an area near the Point Lookout in Alpine.

Dumont authorities immediately called Palisades Interstate Parkway police, said PIP Lt. Michael J Coppola.

Taking the report seriously, officers hurried to the area that she said had long been one of his favorite spots along the cliffs. It’s the highest point along the Palisades, 532 feet above the river.

PIP Officer Joseph Quinn found the man’s pickup just off Route 9W on the path to the Women’s Federation Monument, Coppola said.

“Resources were deployed to the area, including a tracking K-9 from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department,” the lieutenant said.

Women’s Federation Monument


Sheriff’s Officer James Schielzo and K-9 “Noki” arrived soon after, he said. 

Coppola said he, along with PIP Officer Kyle Zyskowski, Schielzo and Noki followed a trail from the vehicle about a quarter mile to the cliff’s edge just south of the monument.

There, they were joined by PIP Sgt. Jesse Cohen, the lieutenant said.

Noki found the man, but the officers couldn’t immediately see him. So they began checking the east side of the safety barrier on the cliffs’ edge. There Cohen saw him sitting.

“I engaged in conversation with the subject, who was quiet but responsive,” Coppolla said. “After talking with him for a short time I retreated back to request additional resources from headquarters.  Sgt. Cohen and Officer Zyskowski continued with positive conversation for approximately 10 more minutes before the subject began responding to our efforts to come to a safer area.

“As we continued talking for approximately 5-10 minutes the subject became more cooperative to seek help.  We were able escort him from the area to an ambulance, which transported him to Englewood [Medical Center] for treatment.”





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