WSST’s GM helps talk man off Cordele water tower
Ricky Smarr, WSST's GM and Sunrise/Midday anchor helps authorities with potential suicide attempt
CORDELE, GA – A Cordele man is undergoing a medical evaluation after being successfully negotiated off the Cordele water tower early Tuesday morning, thanks in part to WSST-TV General Manager Ricky Smarr who was called to the scene by authorities.
Crisp County Sheriff’s authorities say they got the request for mutual assistance from the Cordele Police Department a little after 10:15 last night, in response to a man who climbed the water tower on 23rd Avenue. It was unknown as to whether the man intended to hurt himself
The man, later identified as 59 year old Lewis Philip Brown, spoke at length with Crisp County’s Special Response Team (SRT) negotiator before authorities called for Ricky Smarr, knowing the two had a long standing friendship.
Smarr was able to successfully entice Brown to safely come down from the tower, which he was promptly taken into custody by Cordele Police and taken to Crisp Regional.
No word on Brown’s condition.
Crisp County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank Cordele PD, Cordele Fire Department, Cordele Public Works, Crisp County EMS and the Georgia State Patrol’s Post 30.
