A body camera worn by a deputy captured the shocking moment an 81-year-old man who had been missing for a day was found lying in a retention pond in Florida.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, the incident occurred on July 1 at about 4:40 p.m.in the afternoon when Deputy Steven Jones started the search for a man who had “left his residence without his medication.”
The man was identified as Daniel.
His family was in great distress. They knew that without his medication, things might not go so well and this further alarmed everyone in the county.
Deputy Jones, as shown on video, was looking along the edge of a dark retention pond when he noticed a body lying on its side. The deputy said he was able to detect movement as he got closer.
He already had a hunch that it was Daniel.
Then, Deputy Jones started to rescue him. He was still in the water so he had to pull the disoriented man out of the retention pond.
“Hey, buddy. Come on, buddy,” he says while grabbing the man by one arm slowly but surely. In the video, it was clear that man wasn’t in his right mind at that time.
The deputy slipped and fell into the mud.
But he was quick to recover to continue rescuing the man, this time with both hands. At this point, he still has not confirmed the man’s identity.
“Come on. Gonna get you out the water,” he reassured. “You’re okay. You’re going to be fine, buddy. Come on.”
And he did!
After a few moments, Deputy Jones finally got to take him to the shore. He lovingly held this man’s hands, as if assuring him that he was fine now and that help is on the way.
One of Deputy Jones’ colleagues asked for the man’s name and when he said “Dan,” a gush of relief filled everyone on the scene.
Daniel was successfully rescued.
“I’m glad we found you, man. Thank goodness,” the kindhearted deputy uttered.
The man was brought to a hospital for treatment of the injuries he acquired and he is expected to recover fully. The duration of his possible submersion is difficult to identify though, as per the reports.
The important thing is that he was safe.
Here is a photo of Deputy Steven Jones. Earlier this week, a video showed Deputy Jones pulling an 81-year-old man out of a retention pond in west Orange County. The man had been reported missing the previous day. pic.twitter.com/IHRiG7LGck
— Orange County Sheriff’s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) July 6, 2022
On social media and YouTube, Jones’ body cam footage of the rescue has received tens of thousands of views, likes, and comments. Included in this are those who praised his conduct as noble and compassionate. According to authorities, he started working for the sheriff’s office in 2017 and is a school resource officer.
One commenter said, “Thank you very much for sharing these stories. “Whoever saves a life, it is as though he saved the lives of all mankind.” Salute and much appreciation to Officer Jones!”
“You are a hero, Deputy Jones,” another one wrote.
Indeed, he’s a true hero—a public servant who serves with undeniable compassion.
See the video below to watch how Deputy Jones rescued the 81-year-old man.
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