Oakland, United States - September 29, 2024

In a display of bravery and quick thinking, Officer Jessica Menezes and Sgt. Frank Negrete of the Oakland Police Department became the lifelines for a man on the brink of drowning in a Lake Merritt canal on the evening of September 28th. The dramatic rescue, captured on their body cameras, unfolded as the officers spotted a man desperately clinging to an extension cord in the water.

Without hesitation, both officers jumped into the murky canal, driven by the urgency of the situation. "I was just thinking of ways to get to him," Officer Menezes recounted later that night, reflecting on the moment she saw Sgt. Negrete swimming towards the man. "I knew I was going in too."

Their swift action was pivotal. The man, whose identity and reasons for being in the water remain undisclosed, was pulled back to safety by the officers, who managed to keep his head above water and swim him back to shore.

The heroic effort was not just about physical strength but also about the immediate decision-making under pressure. The body camera footage, which has since been released, provides a raw glimpse into the officers' response, showcasing not just the act of heroism but also the community-focused service at the heart of their duty.

The man rescued from the canal was taken to the hospital for treatment, his condition as of now still under medical care.