Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Judicial Operations Bureau
Florida Highway Patrol

52-year-old white female (name withheld)

Corporal Howard “Glenn” Finley (Court Processing Deputy)
Hire Date: 12/01/1987

What:
A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office court processing deputy pulled a woman off the ledge of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, likely saving her life.

When:
The incident occurred about 5:55 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2016.

Where:
The incident occurred at the top span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge located at I-275, in Hillsborough County.

Why/How:

According to deputies, Corporal Howard “Glenn” Finley was driving home from work, southbound across the top span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at about 5:55 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2016.

Corporal Finley noticed a car parked on the roadway along the side of the bridge and a woman sitting on the ledge, with her legs dangling over the water. The 52-year-old woman was crying with her hands covering her face. Corporal Finley believed the woman was getting ready to jump from the bridge.

After parking his vehicle, Corporal Finley approached the woman undetected, grabbed her and successfully pulled her off the ledge. Corporal Finley detained the woman while she cried and said, “Please let me die, let me jump.”

The woman informed Corporal Finley she was upset over marital and personal issues.

A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper arrived about five minutes later and took the woman into protective custody under the Baker Act.

Corporal Finley is a court processing deputy and he has been with the agency for over 28 years.