Dramatic video shows Florida officer who can’t swim rescue baby from pond
By Katie Sivco
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JACKSONVILLE, Florida (WESH) — A Florida police officer who can’t swim risked her own life by diving into a retention pond to save a drowning baby, according to authorities.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, officer Me’Atia Sanderson was the first to arrive on the scene on June 9. She received notification that a child was still in the water.
The terrifying rescue was captured on body cam video for the first time on Tuesday by the sheriff’s office.
According to the sheriff’s office, “Ofc. Sanderson, who does not know how to swim herself, without a second’s hesitation, entered the pond to retrieve the child and performed CPR until she was relieved by other responding officers.”
Sanderson can be seen in the video sprinting into the water to reach the drowning child. Sanderson continued her efforts to resuscitate the child after she pulled him from the water.
The officer can be heard saying, “come on, baby,” and “go ahead” as she performs CPR.
The video ends with two more officers arriving on the scene and taking over CPR efforts.
Sanderson has been honored, according to representatives of the sheriff’s office, for the significance of her “quick and decisive decision to go into the retention pond.”
“Her actions, while putting her own life at risk, undoubtedly saved the child’s life,” the department said.
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