A new statewide program allowed police in Randolph to save a man's life, all based on a text message.
The state rolled out a new program that allows people in distress to send a text message, and one man put it into use Wednesday morning during an attempted suicide.
Police got the call at the 911 Dispatch Center in Randolph just before 9:30 a.m. and the message said the man "had no reason to live."
New 911 system helps police departments respond quicker
The officer on duty got the message and responded, but the man sending the message did not reply, forcing police to dispatch two officers.
“I asked the civilian dispatcher behind me to dispatch the units," Randolph Patrolman Scott Sherman said.
The updated 911 system allows a phone's GPS to help police locate where the text came from, and the officers were able to knock at a nearby apartment complex.
The man's sister was home at the time of the incident, and had no idea her brother had texted a call for help to police.
"She didn’t understand why we were there," Sherman said. "She said she hadn’t called police.”
Minutes later, the two officers, Officer Richard Lucey and Detective Kristen Gagnon, found the man hanging in his bedroom closet.
Officers got him down and saved his life in the end.
“Thank God he texted that," Gagnon said. "It was a cry for help, and I’m glad we were able to get there and to help him.”
Police said texting will be especially useful in domestic violence situations, allowing anyone to reach out without having to call.
"In a situation where you can't physically talk, that technology will be incredibly helpful," Sherman said.
Police said the technology can also assist those who have someone breaking into their home.
“If someone is breaking into your house, you don’t need to make any noise," Lucey said. "You can just quietly text 911.”
If you or someone you love is struggling with suicide or suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255, the Samaritans statewide crisis helpline at 1-877-870-4673 (call or text) or Call2Talk at 508-532-2255 or text c2t to 741741.