Golden Gate Bridge Suicides - Witnesses and Responders

Many people from California Highway Patrol, Bridge Patrol, and the US Coast Guard to ironworkers, bicyclists, tourists, and drivers have witnessed or intervened in suicides at the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge currently has 36 bridge patrol officers who monitor the bridge 24/7. Bridge patrol officers are required to complete more than 80 hours of crisis intervention training. Bridge ironworkers also assist bridge patrol and CHP by reporting and talking to suicidal subjects. They are the only personnel allowed to go over the railing to retrieve people. If a person jumps off the bridge, a smoke flare will be dropped into the water to help the Coast Guard locate the individual or body.

Here are some stories from first responders, law enforcement, and bridge workers: 

Kevin Briggs, a retired California Highway Patrol Officer, has assisted in over 200 suicide interventions at the Golden Gate Bridge over his 20 year career. In 201, he gave a TED Talk speech, "The Bridge Between Suicide and Life", and in 2015, he wrote a book, "Guardian of the Golden Gate: Protecting the Line Between Hope and Despair."

Bob McGee, a retired painter, wrote a book in 2023 “A View Through the Fog” talking about his 12 years working at the bridge and helping to prevent dozens of suicides. He also wrote an article in 2020 titled “A View to a Jump” in Marin Magazine. 

Golden Gate Bridge Jumpers (U.S. Coast Guard 2010)

What We Do: On Duty with Bridge Patrol (Golden Gate Bridge Patrol 2020)