Kevin and Kevin, 10 years later

L: Kevin Briggs, R: Kevin Berthia
source: NPR.org

On March 11, 2005, a distraught Kevin Berthia, then 22, was overwhelmed with his young daughter's medical expenses and recent job loss. He made a first time trip to the Golden Gate Bridge with the intent to end his life.

Sergeant Kevin Briggs of the California Highway Patrol, known as one of the "Guardians of the Golden Gate Bridge", successfully convinced Berthia not to jump.

After the failed suicide attempt, the Kevins did not see each other for 8 years. Then in May 2013, Berthia presented Briggs with an award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for his work in saving hundreds who attempted, but did not commit suicide jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.

Recalling their first meeting 10 years ago, NPR and StoryCorps.org have recorded their story. 

Today, Kevin Berthia is working and has 3 children. Kevin Briggs retired from the CHP in March 2014 and is an educator and speaker on suicide prevention.

I first heard about Kevin Briggs in the 2013 Yahoo film, "Guardians of the Golden Gate". It was featured in my June 29, 2014 blog entry. Poignant and moving, I always have to reach for tissues when I watch.

You can also see it here:

Guardians of the Golden Gate Bridge

Yesterday, as reported through numerous media sources including SFGate, the board of the Golden Gate, Highway and Transportation District approved by unanimous vote to fund $76 million dollars to build steel-cable nets, or better known as "suicide barriers".

The campaign to build a barrier has gone on for some time. Last year, in 2013, the number of suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge reached a record high of 46.

Two years ago, I saw a very moving piece about suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge on Yahoo! Screen. The video profiled California Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin Briggs. While there's not an exact count, Sgt. Briggs has successfully stopped hundreds from leaping to their deaths off the bridge.

After 23 years of service, Kevin retired from the CHP in March, 2014. He now focuses on educating and speaking to others about suicide prevention. Below is the original 2012 Yahoo! Screen short film, "Guardians of the Golden Gate Bridge".