Multiple officers deployed water rescue kits while two officers swam to save the drowning child and the adult female who was in the water. In a combined effort, officers were able to safely return to land with the child and the woman.
Indian River County (FL) Sheriff’s deputy Dan Whittington was on his way to an unrelated call on the afternoon of Oct. 8, when he spotted a partially submerged vehicle upside down in a canal.
Earlier this month, dramatic body-camera footage was released showing officers in California pulling a woman and her two children from raging floodwaters that suddenly swept them from their vehicle. This event should serve as a clarion call for agencies to provide swift-water rescue to officers.
The car had traveled off the roadway and crashed in the lake when the retired officer, who is also a local resident, happened to be passing by, fire officials said.
The officer managed to rescue his friends, relying on his water survival and intervention training.
“When you get it, wrap it around your body,” the trooper instructs the child. “I just don’t want you to let go, okay. Wrap it around you and hold on really, really tight.”
Carter wanted to thank the officer and as he hugged him, he said, “I never in my life thought I’d hug a cop.”
AJPD said they were able to rescue the woman safely but were unable to retrieve her dog from the water.
As Officer Bodwell piloted the Harbor Patrol boat into the mooring field, he immediately observed an adult male in the water waving an arm for help.
Despite having experience as a lifeguard, Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia lost his life in June of last year while trying to save a teenager from drowning in Worcester, MA. To honor and celebrate his life, his family started the Manny 267 Foundation.
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