ICE Officer Commended for Heroic Pool Rescue in Florida

An ICE officer demonstrated bravery by jumping into a Florida pool to save a drowning child, highlighting courage within the agency amidst criticism and protests. Gregory Simmonds, the officer involved, was present at a community pool in Pasco County, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast. He noticed a young child, unconscious and floating in the water.

Simmonds’ quick reaction was captured on closed-circuit footage. Without hesitation, he leaped into the pool, fully clothed, to rescue the child. He quickly brought the child to the pool’s edge, where resuscitation efforts took place.

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An officer associated with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Tampa, Simmonds applied CPR to the child, helping them regain consciousness. Authorities reported that the child is likely to achieve a full recovery.

Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis praised the officer’s promptness and life-saving response. She remarked on the dedication and risks ICE agents take, urging recognition instead of demonization.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. J. Leathers also commented positively, emphasizing Simmonds’ swift decision-making and brave actions that ensured the child’s survival.

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Simmonds’ actions add to a series of life-saving incidents by DHS officers. In March, an agent at JFK International Airport responded to a medical emergency involving a young child, successfully aiding in their recovery.

Despite enduring stigmatization from protestors at locations like New Jersey’s Delaney Hall, ICE officers remain committed to their duties, often risking their own safety. Charles Creitz contributes to this report, focusing on media, politics, and culture for Fox News Digital.