Sevierville, TN – A tense morning rescue unfolded Thursday as Sevierville Police Department (SPD) officers pulled a man in crisis to safety from the city’s Sky Bridge, which overlooks the French Broad River.
According to Sevierville Police, officers were dispatched just before 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, after a report that a man was standing on the edge of the closed bridge.
SPD’s Crisis Negotiation Team, Patrol Division, and Community Resource Unit all responded. CID Sergeant Dweese Milliron, the lead negotiator, began talking with the man who was positioned on a narrow ledge outside the railing. As the man started to fall, Sergeant Milliron and crisis counselor William Rickels grabbed hold of him while additional officers rushed in to help pull him back to safety.
Police said the rescue was made even more dangerous due to the deteriorating condition of the bridge, with several wooden planks breaking during the incident. Despite the hazards, the man was rescued unharmed and transported for evaluation.
SPD Chief Joseph Manning praised the teamwork and bravery of those involved, saying, “These men and women put their own lives in harm’s way to save a man in obvious crisis. We are so thankful that he is safe and that our officers are uninjured.”
Only minor scrapes and bruises were reported among those on scene.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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