Milwaukee Police Rescue 6-Year-Old Boy From Menomonee River

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police officers helped rescue a child with autism after the missing boy was found in the Menomonee River near Miller Park on Tuesday.

According to Milwaukee Police, bike officer Juan Lopez was on patrol for the July 26 Milwaukee Brewer game when he was flagged down by a father from Glendale who said his 6-year-old son with autism was missing.

Police officer Lopez and Officer Michael Maldonado began immediately searching the surrounding area. A few minutes later, a woman yelled to officers that the child was in the Menomonee River near the pedestrian bridge.

The child was standing in the water and MPD Detective Alexander Ayala and Officer Jose Acevedo, who were off-duty and attending a tailgate, ran to the river and took the boy to safety.

The child was reunited with his parents and no medical attention was needed.

Police said the quick response by everyone involved prevented a potentially dangerous situation and demonstrated that officers, even when off-duty, are always there to help the community.