LAUDERHILL, Fla. (WSVN) – The City of Lauderhill praised the life-saving efforts of three police officers who helped save the life of a Lauderhill girl.
Sergeants Joseph Nistre, Ivan Perez and Nicholas Colon received their commendations at the City Commission meeting Monday night.
The three officers credited training, teamwork and the help of good Samaritans for finding and rescuing the girl in the middle of the night.
“I know everyone at the Lauderhill Police Department would have done the same thing,” said Sgt. Nistle. “And everyone hates to think of the worst-case scenario, but thankfully it didn’t happen. I think essentially the mud kept the kid from moving on. That’s definitely the case. It fascinated me and stuck with me. I mean, essentially we got a kid, and that was all that mattered.”
“It feels good. It feels so good,” Officer Perez said. “Especially because I’m a parent myself. As I’m doing this, I know that I would expect the same thing from other police officers.”
Last week, body camera footage was released showing the moment a police officer rescued a 3-year-old girl who had fallen into a lake.
Quick action was taken after a good Samaritan alerted a 911 dispatcher that he had seen a child running from the parking lot toward the lake.
Lauderhill police officers responded and upon arrival, police Sgt. Nistle found the girl up to her waist in water and went to pull her out.
Nistle went into the muddy stream to retrieve the girl. However, police said he became stuck at the bottom of the lake.
Body camera video shows Sgt. Nistle handed the girl over to his partner, and officers Perez and Colon also pulled him to safety.
When I returned to land, I made sure to check that the girl was not injured.
The mother arrived shortly afterward and told officers that her daughter had wandered. The girl was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
“That’s our job,” Officer Colon said. “It’s nice to be recognized. But again, this is what we signed up for. I mean, it kind of comes with the job. So I don’t expect anything out of it.” No, I just do the job I signed up for.”
The officers were just grateful for their help.
The trio also said that after they finish answering a call, they are always ready to answer the next one as well.
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