Seattle Police Successfully Resolve Mental Health Crisis on Ship Canal Bridge

SEATTLE — A man in a mental health crisis was safely rescued by Seattle Police on the Ship Canal Bridge Thursday afternoon, following over an hour of negotiation. The Seattle Police Crisis and Hostage Negotiation team worked closely with Washington State Patrol troopers to provide assistance.

Officers responded to the scene around 3:45 p.m. after reports of a man in distress. In response, multiple lanes of Interstate 5 were closed to ensure safety and allow first responders to focus on the individual. Sergeant David Sullivan led the negotiation efforts, prioritizing communication with the man.

“This is a very professional person; he is at the VP level in his organization,” Sgt. Sullivan stated. “He’s just suffering from a long-term behavioral health condition that he has hidden because of the stigma. It’s just really sad.”

Sgt. Sullivan mentioned that part of their conversation included discussing the new King County Crisis Center located in Kirkland, which opened last summer. This center provides in-patient treatment and crisis stabilization solutions—a model of care that Sullivan endorsed as the future of behavioral health services.

“This model has worked in other parts of the country and it’s a lot more respectful of behavioral conditions than sending someone to the ER,” Sullivan added. “They are focused on behavioral health.”

While Sullivan credits his successful negotiation techniques to experience, his efforts have drawn recognition. Later this month, he will receive the Medal of Honor from the Seattle Police Foundation for outstanding service. His commitment to crisis intervention has been a highlight of his career: he was recently noted for apprehending a suspect involved in a series of stabbings in the Chinatown International District.

Sgt. James Kim, who oversees the SPD’s Hostage Negotiation Team, praised Sullivan’s effective communication. “Sully did a really good job of building rapport and trust,” Kim noted. “After he climbed over [the guardrail], I gave him a blanket to get warm and we just talked. We talked about our kids; this was somebody I could talk to. It’s hard.”

Both the Seattle Police Department and Washington State Patrol highlighted the collaborative effort in managing the situation. State Patrol Captain Ron Mead sent an email thanking all involved. “It goes without saying that a life no doubt was saved by the great work of everyone involved, and my particular thanks to Trooper Jaramillo and SPD Sgt. Sullivan and Kim,” he wrote.

The public has been reminded that mental health resources are available. For those in crisis, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988.