SEVIERVILLE, TN - Just before 9:00 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026, the Sevierville Police Department (SPD) received a call stating that an apparently suicidal man was on the edge of a sky bridge overlooking the French Broad River. The sky bridge has been closed for some time.

SPD officers with the Crisis Negotiation Team, Patrol Division, Community Resource Unit, Criminal Investigation Division, and Command responded and began efforts to save the man, who was in crisis.

View the full rescue

CID Sergeant Dweese Milliron, the lead negotiator in the response, went out onto the sky bridge to establish a rapport with the man, who was standing on a small ledge on the outside of the sky bridge railing. As the man let go of the railing, Sergeant Milliron and crisis counselor William Rickels grabbed ahold of him as he began to fall from the railing ledge. Other officers rushed onto the sky bridge and assisted in holding the man and ultimately pulling him back over the railing to safety. The man was subsequently transported for evaluation.

To make the rescue even more hazardous, the bridge was deteriorating and several wooden planks had broken-off during the rescue.

Other than some minor scrapes and bruises, the victim and officers were uninjured.

“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."

The following SPD officers assisted during this event:

Lieutenant Jordan
Sergeant Cruz
Officer Albaugh
Officer Jones
Officer Loveday
Officer Laymon

Lieutenant Brantley
Sergeant Milliron
Sergeant Powers
Detective Prevatt
Detective Burgess
Detective Turner

Lieutenant Ball
Captain Roberts
Deputy Chief Hinson