Here’s a touching image capturing the compelling reunion between Kevin Briggs, the California Highway Patrol officer known as the “Guardian of the Golden Gate,” and Kevin Berthia, the man whose life he saved in March 2005. The powerful snapshot shows them meeting once again a decade later—standing at the very spot where a conversation changed a life.
A Reunion After a Decade of Impact
The Rescue (2005)
On March 11, 2005, Kevin Berthia, weighed down by depression and personal hardship, climbed over the railing of the Golden Gate Bridge, poised to end his life. Officer Kevin Briggs spoke with him for 92 minutes, mostly listening—and offered “a hook” to give Berthia a reason to keep going, focusing on his newborn daughter
The Reunion (2015)
In August 2015, the two reunited at the north vista point of the Golden Gate Bridge, near the same location of the original rescue. For Berthia, returning to that spot was emotionally intense:
“It takes a lot out of me to come here… because it is a fear, putting myself back in a bad place. But it’s for a much better cause.”
That day, both were engaged in their shared mission of suicide awareness and prevention, speaking at events and advocating for mental health reform. Briggs, by then retired, was also promoting his memoir, Guardian of the Golden Gate
Berthia described their bond:
“We’ve never discussed it on a personal level… We leave it there. It’s something that happened.”
Yet through that shared silence, a powerful partnership blossomed, grounded in empathy, understanding, and purpose.
From Pivotal Moment to Lifelong Advocacy
- That 92-minute conversation not only saved Berthia’s life—it transformed it. Today, he is a suicide prevention advocate, openly sharing his story to help others who may feel alone and overwhelmed
- Briggs, after retiring, continued his work with dedication—speaking at events, earning recognition from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and founding organizations focused on preventing suicide
