Full Notification

Police Chief Will Johnson would like to recognize the outstanding police work by Officer Hardin and Police Service Assistant Hall. Shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday, North District officers were dispatched to locate a runaway that had left school. As officers searched for over an hour for the child, they saw him on a sidewalk and attempted to stop him. The 9-year-old child was walking along a sidewalk and there was a 6’ fence that separated him from officers. After seeing the officers, he ran from them. The child then jumped into a pond in an attempt to evade officers by swimming across it. As the young child neared the middle of the pond, officers noticed he began to struggle and his head went under the water.

Officer Hardin and PSA Hall immediately jumped over the fence and went into the freezing water to save the child. With the recent ice and snow, the temperature of the water was estimated to be around 37 degrees. The water was up to their shoulders and significantly over the child’s head. After pulling him from the pond, the child was transported to the hospital and was medically cleared.

The quick actions of these officers undoubtedly saved the life of this child. Without hesitation, both Officer Hardin and PSA Hall put their own lives at risk not knowing the temperature and depth of the water to rescue this young boy. Thank you for going above and beyond!