The Department of Public Safety has presented a local woman, Heidi Bai, with a commendation for her life saving efforts on a cold winter night in February.
Just before midnight on Feb. 17, Bai was walking on the Pedestrian Footbridge connecting River Campus to South Plymouth Avenue when she came across a young woman standing at the center of the bridge. By her courage to ask this young woman the simple question of “are you okay?” Bai found that the young woman was suicidal and that she intended to jump off of the bridge.
Bai stayed with the distraught young woman and called for help using her cell phone. Patrol officers from Public Safety soon arrived and were able to transport the woman to hospital care. The Rochester Police Department also became involved when it became clear that the woman was a missing person they were trying to locate.
On Thursday, April 14, members of the Public Safety team honored Bai for her prompt intervention and compassion in a small ceremony and presented her with a commendation certificate.
