The Department of Homeland Security credited an ICE officer with saving a child found unconscious in a Pasco County pool last month; local authorities said the child is expected to fully recover
The Department of Homeland Security said an ICE officer rescued a 6-year-old child from drowning in a Florida pool last month, pulling the unconscious child from the water and performing CPR until the child revived.
According to DHS, the rescue happened on May 16, when ICE officer Gregory Simmonds saw the child floating unconscious in a pool in Pasco County, Florida, and jumped in. The agency said that after removing the child from the water, Simmonds performed CPR until the child regained consciousness. Local authorities said the child is expected to make a full recovery.
“Due to his quick thinking, decisive actions and willingness to place himself into action during a critical incident, the child survived and is expected to make a full recovery,” said Corporal J. Leathers of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. Leathers said the officer’s actions directly contributed to saving the child’s life and reflected courage and selflessness.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis praised the officer’s response, saying he delivered life-saving care to the child and calling ICE agents “the best of the best.”
Other Recent Rescues
DHS pointed to other recent cases of ICE officers assisting in medical emergencies. In March, the agency said, an ICE officer supporting TSA operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport helped a one-year-old child experiencing a medical emergency by performing the Heimlich maneuver until the child began breathing again, after which EMS personnel cleared the child to fly.
In February, DHS said, off-duty ICE agents performed CPR on a four-year-old child who was unresponsive after drowning in a hotel swimming pool, reviving the child before local police and emergency medical crews arrived and transported the child for further care.
