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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Jacksonville officers and a beachgoer saved three drowning children on Saturday at Huguenot Park.
Officers saw a beachgoer carrying a small boy and girl out of the water before hearing “Help me! Help me!” from a young boy caught in a rip current, JSO said.
Beach Patrol Officer Tyler Sweeney grabbed a buoy, stripped off his vest and gear, and dove into the water to find the boy who was calling for help.
As Officer Sweeney was finding the boy in the water, Officer Billy Crocker tended to an unconscious 8-year-old girl, giving her CPR.
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According to JSO, after giving the child a sternum rub, she began to show signs of recovery.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue arrived, started oxygen on the 8-year-old girl before transporting her to a local hospital.
Officer Sweeney located the boy in the water and brought him back on shore to safety.
JSO said Officer Crocker followed up with the girl at the hospital on Sunday and confirmed she will be released soon.
The children were at the beach as part of a t-ball outing, officers later learned.
“We can’t stress water safety enough. Rip currents and rough surf are deadly. Adults and children need to be extra cautious, knowing their swimming abilities, and- if in doubt- stay out. We are grateful that all three children are okay today, knowing this could have easily ended in tragedy,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook.
Officer Crocker was recently honored as JSO’s Police Officer of the month for his work solving a hit-and-run involving a 6-year-old, JSO said.
