Sevierville, United States - January 08, 2026 A potentially fatal incident was averted Thursday morning when Sevierville police officers saved a man from jumping off a closed sky bridge above the French Broad River. Authorities received a call just before 9:00 a.m. on January 8 about a man in crisis standing on the edge of the bridge. Officers from SPD’s Crisis Negotiation Team, Patrol Division, Community Resource Unit, Criminal Investigation Division, and Command responded immediately. CID Sergeant Dweese Milliron, the lead negotiator, made contact with the man, who was perched on a small ledge beyond the railing. As the man let go, Milliron and crisis counselor William Rickels grabbed him while other officers rushed in to pull him to safety. Both the man and the officers sustained minor scrapes and bruises, but no serious injuries occurred. The wooden planks of the bridge, in poor condition, broke in several places during the rescue, increasing the danger. “These men and women put their own lives in harm’s way to save a man who was in obvious crisis,” said SPD Chief Joseph Manning. “We are so thankful that the man was unharmed and is safe. The actions and bravery of these officers illustrates what can happen on any given day as they serve and protect our community. I cannot be prouder of their actions, as well as those of Mr. Rickels, who stepped-in to assist in this rescue.” A total of 15 officers participated in the operation. The man was taken for further evaluation following the dramatic rescue.