On July 19, 2004, Trooper Leslie Boldt was on patrol in Brown County, Wisconsin, in the area of Green Bay.  Trooper Boldt heard Brown County dispatch looking for a vehicle that a suicidal woman was driving on Wisconsin Highway 29.  The vehicle was traveling around 90 MPH and was being followed by the woman’s husband who had called 911.  Trooper Boldt located the woman’s’ vehicle traveling south on Interstate 43, going at a high rate of speed, changing lanes, and passing other vehicles.  Trooper Boldt was able to catch up the vehicle and pursued it with his lights and sirens activated on his squad to speeds of over 100 MPH.

The woman continued driving until she got to the midway point of the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge in Green Bay where she pulled over to the side of the bridge.  The woman quickly exited her vehicle and walked around the front of it and over to the guardrail of the bridge.  Trooper Boldt exited his squad and ran after the female fearing she may jump off of the bridge.  Trooper Boldt yelled out, “Ma’am,” as the female jumped over the wall of the bridge towards the Fox River some 200 feet below.  Trooper Boldt moved forward and was able to grab the woman’s arm as she jumped and he held on tightly as she went over the wall.  With her momentum pulling towards the water below, Trooper Boldt temporarily lost his footing and was pulled partially over the wall by the woman, almost pulling both he and the woman to their deaths.  Fortunately, the woman’s downward momentum was slowed by a steel bridge support just below the bridge wall.  Trooper Boldt was able to forcibly pull the woman back against the bridge wall as she struggled to break free of his grasp.  Within about 16 seconds, Sergeant Bill Morgan and Deputy Kevin Kinnard of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department arrived and were able to assist Trooper Boldt in hauling the woman back across the bridge wall onto the roadway and away from certain death.

The 36-year-old woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment.  Trooper Boldt sustained minor injuries but was back at work the next day.

Trooper Boldt, despite his statement that his actions were “just part of the job,” demonstrated great courage and determination as he placed his own life in jeopardy to save the life of this distraught woman.  Trooper Boldt was also quick to acknowledge the efforts of his fellow law enforcement officers, stating that he “wouldn’t have been able to pull the woman back on the bridge without the help of Sergeant Morgan and Deputy Kinnard.”