TAMPA, Fla. — An off-duty Tampa Police officer's day off turned into a rescue mission Wednesday, when he and a friend helped rescue a man who jumped off the Gandy Bridge.

  • Ofc. James Wilcher, Chip Roberts were out fishing
  • After man jumped, Wilcher and Roberts located man, pulled him from water
  • Man who jumped from bridge hospitalized

Officer James Wilcher and a friend, Chip Roberts, decided to use a day off to go fishing.

"We were expecting to catch a lot of fish and enjoy ourselves on our days off," said Wilcher.

They were set up in their boat near the Gandy Bridge when they noticed police talking to a man who was standing near the edge.

"Next thing I know he jumped right off the side of the bridge," said Officer Wilcher.

The men quickly located the jumper, pulled him out of the water and used ropes to secure him until Marine Units could arrive.

 

 

"I'm just thankful Fate put us in the right spot at the right time, because that bridge is long and we were the only boat out there today, and for us to just be in the right spot where he jumped in was just amazing," said Roberts.

Wilcher and Roberts said they don't consider their actions to be "heroic." Instead, Wilcher said it's part of his job.

"Officers, deputies, they're never off even when they are off," Wilcher said. "I mean, we're still called to take action whenever it's needed."

Wilcher said he did have some water rescue training.

Police said if the men hadn't been close by, this could have turned into a recovery mission rather than a rescue.