Officer Talks Man Out of Threatened Suicide
A 31-year-old man apparently despondent over the loss of his job threatened to jump from an electrical tower in Sylmar on Friday but was coaxed to safety by a Los Angeles police sergeant, authorities said.
Charles Darrah of Sylmar climbed a Southern California Edison electrical tower on Foothill Boulevard between Sayre and Hubbard streets about 12:15 p.m., Lt. Vince Di Mauro said.
Darrah was perched 75 feet high for nearly two hours but was finally talked down by Sgt. Brenda Gordon. “She was very patient and understanding and developed a rapport with him,” Di Mauro said. Darrah was under the influence of alcohol during the incident, Di Mauro said. He was not injured but was taken to Olive View Medical Center for observation.
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