An off-duty Georgia police officer is credited with saving a 4-year-old girl from drowning when he quickly sprang into action, while off duty.

The Buford Police Department is labeling Officer Preston Marsh a hero and shared the story of his actions in a social media post .

In the post, the department said a mother reached out to share how her 4-year-old daughter, who typically wears floaties while swimming, jumped into the pool without them.

There was no sound of distress, but Marsh noticed the child struggling from about 25 yards away and immediately ran across the deck and jumped into the water to save her.

The child’s mother later wrote to the department, saying: “It was only the sound of his feet on the concrete that alerted me and the other adults to anything happening. I truly don’t know what would have occurred had he not been on high alert and jumped in to save my sweet 4-year-old.”

The department described Marsh as humble and said he downplayed the act as something any parent would do.

“But we know his quick thinking and selfless action made all the difference,” the department said on social media.

“When you truly have a heart to serve others, as police officers do, it doesn’t turn off when you clock out for the day,” said Chief Jacquelyn Carruth. “This incident is a shining example of Officer Marsh’s dedication to public safety, and yet another example of the outstanding work being done by our officers both on and off duty.”