SEATTLE — A picture posted on Facebook and shared thousands of times is warming hearts in Western Washington.
It shows a security guard comforting a rider on a Sound Transit bus who was having some problems.
T.t. Olsen said she was on Sound Transit 512 from Everett to downtown Seattle on Tuesday when she saw another rider experience what she believed was a mental breakdown.
"He was twitching and yelling random stuff and staring wide eyed around him and he got scared of any loud noise or quick movement easily," Olsen wrote.
She said the security guard at the station sat down with the man, rubbed his back, and calmly talked with him until three firefighters arrived.
“When they arrived all 3 got on the bus and introduced themselves to him and asked his name (Joe) (and) they didn't attempt to pull him off the bus, not once. They sat down talked to him kindly and gently and told them they have an ambulance and want to take him to the hospital to get some help. They asked him where he needed to go and Joe said Seattle, they said, "We will get you to Seattle, Joe, but we want to get you to a hospital first because we see you're having a hard time." They kept saying don't be scared, we are not cops, we are firefighters and we don't want you to go to jail, we want to get you help and take care of you,” Olsen added.
She said the man appeared scared but everyone else on the bus started giving him words of encouragement.
But through it all, Olsen said the firefighters never showed irritation or impatience.
"They talked to him, calmed him back down and counted to 3 and held his hand as they walked to the ambulance. Those men handled that situation so well. Like...well-trained professionals. No one ended up dead or even in cuffs. Everyone on the bus worked together to help the firefighters and Joe. It took all but 7 minutes to diffuse a potentially violent situation and the bus still made it to the destination on time. Look at that. Some law enforcement could take some pointers from these firefighters," Olsen wrote. "I honestly needed to see that tonight. God bless them and Joe. I don't know what Joe's story is but I hope he gets the help he needs."