North Bay Police Officer Commended For Saving 6-Year-Old Child's Life

SANTA ROSA, CA — A Santa Rosa police over was honored over the weekend for saving the life of a 6-year-old girl.

Officer Irfaan Jaleel was given a commendation for his lifesaving actions that took place Aug. 20 when the Santa Rosa Police Department received a call about a 6-year-old child who was not breathing.

The child was playing in a neighborhood pool and was with a family member. Her family was very attentive watching the child jump into the pool numerous times, according to police.

"But, within a matter of moments, the family member noticed she wasn’t coming back to the top of the water," the Santa Rosa Police Department said in a news release. "The child was quickly pulled out of the pool, 911 was called, and CPR was initiated."

Officer Jaleel was in the area and immediately responded, arriving within 1 minute of the call coming into SRPD. Jaleel saw the child next to the pool, with people around her. He immediately started lifesaving measures and began performing CPR on the child.

Jaleel did CPR for approximately three minutes before the child started crying.

Paramedics then arrived and took over medical aid and took the child to a local hospital.

The 6-year-old was doing well and was expected to have a full recovery, police said Monday.

Jaleel was hired by SRPD in July 2021, graduated from the police academy in December 2021, and finished the field training program to become a solo officer in May 2022.

"Officer Jaleel’s quick thinking to jump a call he wasn’t assigned to and use his first aid training saved the life of a child," the Santa Rosa Police Department said. "We are proud to have Officer Jaleel as part of the Santa Rosa Police Department family, and we are grateful he was in the right place at the perfect time. Fantastic work Officer Jaleel!"