Hugs for Officers Who Saved Drowning Man's Life

Two Sarasota Police officers have been hailed heroes following a near-drowning on Lido Beach July 4.

The man who was saved by the quick-acting officers took time out on Tuesday to thank them in person.

“Earlier today, Sgt. Richie Schwieterman and Officer Mike Skinner received a phone call out of the blue saying Jansen Wade, the man who nearly drowned off Lido Beach on July 4th, wanted to meet them,” the police department wrote on its Facebook page.

It seems Jensen had spent a few days in the hospital recovering from the incident and put thanking the two men on the top of his to-do list upon his discharge.

“I wouldn’t be standing here without you two,” Jensen told the police officers. “You saved my life. Thank you.”

The incident that nearly claimed Jensen’s life took place around 5 p.m. Saturday when he and a woman were canoeing near a Sarasota Police Marine Patrol boat that was just offshore the beach for the Grand Prix. The canoe somehow managed to tip over and Jensen’s hand got caught on ropes.

“He began inhaling water,” an email from the police department explained.

The woman on the canoe began screaming, catching the attention of the nearby officers.

Schwieterman and Sarasota County lifeguard Bryce Makowski quickly jumped into the water while Skinner, who was driving the boat, assisted to make sure Jensen didn’t go under water.

Schwieterman and Makowski were able to get Jensen safely to shore where he was able to cough up water. Officer Juan Jaimes helped with the rescue once Jensen was on shore.

Jensen met with Schwieterman and Skinner at the police department’s headquarters.

Photos courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department