JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Jacksonville officers and a beachgoer saved three drowning children on Saturday at Huguenot Park.
The police observed a person on the beach bringing a young boy and girl out of the ocean just before hearing “Help me! Help me!” from another young boy trapped in a rip current, according to JSO.
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.
“Water safety is extremely important and cannot be overstated. Rip currents and rough seas can be fatal. Both adults and children must be very cautious, aware of their swimming skills, and if uncertain, they should stay out. We are thankful that all three children are safe today, as this situation could have easily turned into a disaster,” stated the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post.
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.
