- The unidentified child and her six-year-old sister were playing near and on the surface of the pond when the thin ice broke and both girls fell into it.
- The 80-year-old homeowner rescued the six-year-old, but was unable to reach the eight-year-old
- They quickly called 911 and State Trooper Michelle Archer responded
- Video shows her and State Trooper Keith Cote rescuing the girl and taking her to a hospital for treatment
Newly released bodycam footage shows the moment an eight-year-old Vermont girl was rescued by two heroic officers after she and her younger sister fell into a frozen pond on private property.
The unidentified child and her six-year-old sister were playing near and on the surface of the pond when the thin ice broke and both girls fell into it on December 17.
The 80-year-old homeowner of the property was able to reach the six-year-old and pull her to safety when she was near shore, but was unable to reach the eight-year-old after she drifted into the middle of the pond.
The elderly homeowner quickly called 911 for help and State Trooper Michelle Archer, who was on routine patrol in the area, responded immediately.
The unidentified child and her six-year-old sister were playing near and on the surface of the pond when the thin ice broke and both girls collapsed on December 17.
The elderly homeowner quickly called 911 for help and State Trooper Michelle Archer, who was on routine patrol in the area, responded immediately.
Footage shows Archer arriving on scene in less than five minutes and quickly grabbing a throwing rope and flotation device from her cruiser.
She was then seen taking off her duty belt and jumping into the icy pond to save the crying girl.
Video shows the brave officer holding the girl and swimming back to shore as State Trooper Keith Cote helps pick up the girl and carries her to a waiting Cambridge Rescue ambulance.
The crying and shaken child was immediately taken to a University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington for treatment of injuries, which officers believed at the time were life-threatening.
Officials say she has made a full recovery and has returned home.
Archer, Cote and the homeowners have been commended for their heroic behavior and have all been recommended to receive the agency’s Life Saving Award.
Footage shows Archer arriving on scene in less than five minutes and quickly grabbing a throwing rope and flotation device from her cruiser
Video shows the brave officer holding the girl and swimming back to shore as state trooper Keith Cote helps pick up the girl and carries her to a waiting Cambridge Rescue ambulance
This heroic rescue comes less than a year after two Arizona police officers rushed into a home where a two-year-old girl was found drowning in a backyard pool and performed life-saving CPR.
Officers Garrin DeRonde and Tyler Winger of the El Mirage Police Department were called to the home in July 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
The pair run into the house, past shocked and alarmed family members, as Winger asks, “Where is she?”
Someone shouts, “Bedroom, bedroom, bedroom!”
Bodycam footage shows Officer Tyler Winger performing CPR on the little girl, who was found drowning in a pool in the home’s backyard
Officer Garrin DeRonde walked behind his partner for a few moments and assisted in the lifesaving efforts
Winger runs into the room and finds the mother and little girl in a bedroom, with the mother crying and the girl lying on her back and struggling to breathe.
Winger begins chest compressions, and DeRonde arrives shortly after and helps straighten her legs and arms so her lungs can expand.
“There she is, honey,” one of the officers says as she begins to respond.
DeRonde tells Winger, “Come on, come on, keep going.”
The girl begins to suck in water and Winger lays her on her side and pats her back.
“Please,” Winger says. “Come on baby, cry, cry.”
Finally, the officers have the little girl stand up.
The video ends with officers fist bumping each other in joy and relief.