On December 3, 2018, Sergeant Travis Mattern was on I-10 heading toward his home in Pima County when a call reporting a suicidal man flashed on his computer dispatch screen. He advised other responding agencies that he was in the area. “Sergeant Mattern had the forethought to place his patrol vehicle across both eastbound lanes of I-10 to block traffic, knowing that the subject was threatening to jump from the bridge over those lanes,” Marshal Bob Randall said. “He then ran up the exit ramp to make contact with the subject.” Although some citizens were on the bridge trying to get the 23-year-old man off the ledge, it wasn’t until Sergeant Mattern arrived that the danger level lessened. “Sergeant Mattern began speaking with the subject, and immediately gained his trust, which was evident as the subject reached out with his arm,” Marshal Randall said. “The sergeant took control of the man, removed him from the ledge, and comforted him.” Due to the man’s emotional state, the ambulance staff had Sergeant Mattern ride with them to Banner UMC-South in Tucson. No further information has been released about the man, who was apparently upset after an argument with his girlfriend. “Sergeant Mattern was instrumental in saving the life of a young man in the midst of a bad decision,” Marshal Randall said, who noted his sergeant had used comp-time Sunday to get off duty early to be with family. “The professionalism he displayed during the rescue of the suicidal person undoubtedly contributed to the successful end.”