Fort Worth Officer Saves Man From Possibly Drowning

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Fort Worth Officer Kellie Whitehead says she didn't really stop to think before diving into Lake Como last week.

Now, the officer's quick action is being credited with saving a man's life.

"I was just thinking that I'm going to get this kid—and I'm going to make sure he's safe."

Dash cam video from the officer's patrol car shows her hurriedly shedding her vest, outer uniform shirt and boots—anything that would weigh her down. She'd already locked away her weapon. But, once in the water she quickly realized that the `kid' was a man in full blown panic.

"That's when I had to come up with a game plan pretty quick," said the officer to reporters gathered at the lake today. "All I could do then was tread water and keep myself up above the water," adding—"once I got out there, my plan was just to keep us alive."

According to police, another witness had already tried to rescue the man; but, had to swim away before he was pulled under as well. Officer Whitehead was also aware of the danger.

"I was trying to stay at a distance from his hands. I knew if he went into panic mode we'd both be in trouble."
Other officers and paramedics arrived. Soon, both were exhausted but safe on the shore: a drowning prevented, an officer's job well done.

"Every day we all make a difference in somebody's life… this, to me, is just another day: a day that made me think back-- things could have gone terribly wrong."

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