Cameron Police Help Defuse Mental Health Emergency On Highway 69 Bridge

Officers with the Cameron Police Monday helped a woman suffering a metal health emergency and was threatening to jump from the U.S. 69 Highway bridge over U.S. Highway 36.

According to a release from Cameron Police Chiefs Rich Bashor, at about 9:30 Monday morning the Cameron Police Department 911 Center received several calls stating a female had parked her car on the bridge, exited the vehicle, and was threatening to jump off of the bridge.

Cameron Police Officers Chris Proctor, Shannon Evans, Devin White, and Sergant Dustin McCloud were dispatched to the area and upon their arrival found the female who was on the bridge, threatening to jump.

Officer Proctor, who is a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer and negotiator, made contact with the female and began talking with the woman. According to the release, a citizen had also stopped prior law enforcement arrival and was talking with the woman. Officer Proctor spoke with the woman for about 20 minutes before she agreed to come down from the bridge.

The woman was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Due to the location on the bridge, traffic on both U.S. 69 and U.S. 36 Highways were diverted at the scene.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cameron Detectives, and Cameron Fire Department were dispatched to the area and assisted with traffic. Cameron Ambulance District was also dispatched and staged in the area.

Officer Proctor, Officer White and Sgt. McCloud are Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officers for the Cameron Police Department who have received training for working with individuals with mental illness.