Hoppers Hands - Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Prevention

Walkers and runners travel down Marine Drive until they come to a popular turnaround point where the sidewalk dead-ends next to the historic Fort Point. It's here that bridge worker Ken Hopper noticed that runners would come and touch the fence before turning back. That gave birth to the idea of placing a metal sign with a pair of hands painted on it.

You see the bridge workers formed a voluntary suicide rescue group that responds whenever the need arises. Sometimes they are able to coax or talk people out of taking desperate action. Other times, they actually attempt to physically restrain people from harming themselves. Ken Hopper has personally been involved in saving 30 lives. Regrettably they are not always successful. Twice he and his fellow volunteers were unable to effect a rescue.

Suicide prevention is an ultra stressful pursuit. Mainly because there is rarely any closure or follow up from the people they do rescue. Hopper says "Once in a great while, one of the guys will get a letter or note from someone they talked down. I've known that to happen only two or three times. When a guy gets a letter like that, it's a treasure; it's like gold."

The actions of these brave men is an encouragement that there are people who care. That they are willing to take risks to help others, without compensation or even a thank you. The fact that these men step forward to assist a troubled soul in their deepest need is inspiring to us all.

Kerry Davis (L) and Ken Hopper (R)

Ken and Kerry have been working together for over 25 years on the Golden Gate Bridge.

This is the old sign that was replaced in 2005.