FERGUSON, Mo. — Two police officers pulled a 10-year old boy from an icy pool in Ferguson Tuesday risking their own lives to save him without hesitation, a witness said.
“I definitely want to share a moment of gratitude for those two officers for what they did today,” Ferguson Police Chief Jason Armstrong said.
The boy was at January-Wabash Park with family members, when he ended up in the locked, gated pool area and fell into the water.
The pool had been drained but filled back in with rain and snow. The water was 7 feet deep, police said.
"The child was underneath the water,” Armstrong said.
Ferguson officer Jamez Knighten scaled the fence to get to the pool and the boy because the gate was locked.
"He went down as far as he could to try to bring him back up,” witness Larry Henry said.
Ferguson called for extra help. They needed bolt cutters so the other first responders could get to the pool.
That's when Calverton Park's officer Chris Robertson arrived, but he didn't stop at opening the gate.
"He just jumped right in,” Calverton Park Chief Jim Buchanan said.
The officer took off his coat but jumped into the water with his armor on, Buchanan said.
By then, Officer Knighten had the boy at the water's surface, but he was struggling too.
Officer Robertson brought them both to safety with the help of the EMS and fire crews at the pool's edge, Buchanan said.
"He did save the other officer's life along with the life of the child," Buchanan said.
"They was looking real bad, like they needed to go somewhere and get warmed up because hypothermia was setting in,” Henry said.
The officers were treated at the hospital and sent home. The boy was airlifted to a children's hospital for treatment. He was in the water for 15 or 20 minutes before the officers could save him.
"I'm hoping and praying that he pulls through, too,” Henry said.
It's hope that's possible because of the actions of two officers.
"It's what they do, it's why we take this job,” Buchanan said.
Editors note: Officials originally said the incident happened at a pond.
