JEFFERSON CITY (KMOX) - A Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper is being honored after possibly saving a teenager's life through the compassion he showed during a traffic stop.
Cpl. Jeffrey Huff pulled the 16-year-old man over on Interstate 70, east of Kansas City, going 113 mph. He had the boy call his parents, and during that call, Huff learned the boy was depressed and considering suicide.
Huff decided to share his own personal experience of loss. The corporal’s own brother had died by suicide. He explained to the boy how the loss of his brother had affected his entire family. He talked about the benefits of talking with others and working with medical professionals. The teen’s parents came to the traffic stop scene, talked with Huff, and then informed him they would take their son directly to the hospital.
Later, Huff was contacted by the teen’s mother and she explained that as they had driven away from the traffic stop scene, her son explained his plan to take his own life. He told his parents, “That trooper saved my life tonight.”
Huff was named the Missouri State Employee of the Month for his actions in saving the 16-year-old's life.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline provides crisis resources and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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