Palos Park police officer saves man from drowning in Arizona

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Palos Park police officer is being hailed as a hero after risking his life to save a man from drowning while on vacation in Arizona.

Officer Ryan Franczak was tubing on the Gila and Salt Rivers earlier this month when he saw an older man fall into the water in the rapids.

"I heard someone yell, 'Hey, this guy fell in the water,' and I look over, I see empty tube, no one on it, and first thing I did was dove straight into that water," Franczak told CBS 2 Chicago. "You know, swimming, grabbing around for anything I can – rocks, innertubes, legs, arms, extremities, whatever it was – and didn't feel anything for a little bit, and I'm like I'm starting to go and lose breath."

Franczak said he was able to find the man, and fight the current to bring him to shore with the help of another person. 

"Officer Ryan Franczak's heroic actions truly represent the mission and values of the Palos Park Police Department and the mantra shared among all police officers that we are never truly off duty," Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk said in a statement.

Franczak said his job is 24/7, and he loves it, and is always ready to jump in.