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Cops With Capes? Police Played Hero And Saved Drowning Child
Mon, June 27, 2016
Often times on the news, there's an onslaught of bad news about policemen and women - variously accused of abusing their power, or engaging in criminal activities. And while there are more than a few bad eggs in the department of over two thousand men and women, most cops are genuinely just doing their jobs trying to preserve the peace. And, in most cases, they get no recognition for it. Well, tonight, we can say that's starting to change, because a trio of officers from the north side strike team who saved a child from drowning on Friday were recognized by the commissioner for their valiant conduct. At about 10:35, police learned about an 11 year old child who'd gone under water at the pier on Marine Parade and they sprung into action. Sgt. Anibal Castellanos who supervises the team explained:..

Sgt. Anibal Castellanos, Northside Strike Team
"We were flagged down by some kids and we ran up to the pier and hence they told us that someone is drowning. We couldn't see anyone, the guys just jumped in and they started to feel the ground until finally we found the little kid and PC Lopez took him out of the water immediately into the police truck and we started to perform CPR until we reach to the KHMH where the doctors did a wonderful job in getting back this kid to life."

Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"I think it's your leadership and the team that you lead, led to their instant springing into action without any regards for their safety or without worrying about having the kid of equipment to assist in rescue dive."

Sgt. Anibal Castellanos, Northside Strike Team
"I must give thanks to my colleague PC #55 Jessie Lopez and PC Cawich, who they never think twice to jump into the water and we found the little kid that was drowning and we performed CPR and thank God that he is still alive. If people are having their kids go to swim, kindly sent an adult so that they can have proper supervision. That morning there were no one supervising these kids and that is the reason why this might have been almost fatal to this kid."

Castellanos was accompanied by Christian Cawich and PC Jessie Lopez.

The 11 year old - whose name has not been released by police - is expected to make a 100% recovery. Fisherfolk in the area tell us that the water at the end of the pier is deceptively deep.

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