North Carolina police officer talks man off bridge and gives him a hug

RALEIGH -- Powerful video from a North Carolina Department of Transportation camera shows a Raleigh police officer's act of compassion Wednesday evening.

It happened on the Beltline over Wade Avenue just after 7 p.m. when police got a call about a man who was hanging over the edge of the bridge.

The man was in distress and needed help. Police said the officer was off duty and was headed home, but he stopped and reached out to the man and developed a rapport with him.

After a short period of time, the man agreed to come off the bridge. That's when the officer hugged the man for quite some time, then walked the man back to a car.

The story is a reminder that there is help for people in mental distress. Call the HopeLine at (877) 235-4525 or go to http://www.hopeline-nc.org/