Deputy Recognized for Saving Dog in Shark Infested Waters

Dep. LeAna Cudzilo from the Manatee County (Fla.) Sheriff's Department is being honored for the bravery and courage she exhibited when she jumped into shark infested waters to save a dog in distress, reports Yahoo News .

The rescue began on the evening of August 31 when the owners of a Coonhound mix named Fern installed a new invisible electric fence.

Unfortunately, as these devices sometimes do, Fern was so frightened by the shock that she bolted from her yard and off a boat dock into a canal. She didn't stop there; she kept swimming, straight for the ocean.

Disregarding her own safety, Cudzilo removed her belt and vest and jumped into the 25-foot-deep, dark, shark infested water. The deputy was able to guide Fern back toward a boat, where the dog was rescued.