FW Officer Hailed As Hero After Rescuing Drowning Man
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) -- A Fort Worth police officer is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a downing man from a lake last week. A patrol car dash cam captured video of Officer Kellie Whitehead as she pulled the victim from Lake Como on the city's southwest side.
According to police, on Wednesday, July 1, a witness saw a man walk into the lake and, shortly after doing so, begin to scream for help. Another witness apparently jumped in the lake in an attempt to help the victim and soon realized he was also in danger of drowning due to "the current and uncooperativeness of the victim," said police.
Officials said Fort Worth Police Officer Whitehead was patrolling on the west side of Fort Worth when she and two other officers were dispatched to assist the drowning man.
Upon arrival, Officer Whitehead saw the victim in the lake screaming for help. According to the report, Whitehead immediately removed her gun belt, locked it in her patrol car then jumped in the lake and swam toward the victim.
In video released from the Fort Worth Police Department, Whitehead can be seen removing her shoes and other articles then jumping in the water to save the victim.
Police say she was able to keep the victim and herself above the water while moving closer to shore.
The Fort Worth Fired Department arrived and assisted, pulling them both to safety.
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