Ohio police officers jumped into a frigid lagoon to save a drowning man in a mental health crisis Tuesday.
Recently released video footage captured the rescue by the University Circle and University Hospital police officers in Cleveland. University Circle Police Officer Jeff Ridler responded to a call concerning a man who left the University Hospital emergency room and wandered near a lagoon following his discharge, WKYC-TV reports.
"As I turned onto East Boulevard, I saw him jump into the water with other University Hospitals officers kind of persuading him to come back to shore," Ridler told the news outlet.
Two hospital police officers entered the lagoon when the man started experiencing trouble in the water. But they couldn't reach him because of a 20-foot drop-off.
Once Ridler reached the scene, he put his skills as a former lifeguard and college swimmer to use. He jumped into the lagoon and swam out to the man.
"'I have to get this guy,' that's all it is. 'I have to save him,'" said Ridler about his determination to reach the man.
Ridler was able to latch onto the man and pull him closer to shore and the other officers. The trio was then able to get the unresponsive man to dry land.
Once on the shore, the hospital officers performed CPR and revived the man.
"It didn't appear that he was trying to take his own life," Ridler told WKYC. "I think it was more so, 'I don't want to be near people.' Unfortunately, him not wanting to be around people put him in the water and put him in a very dangerous situation."
This is Ridler's second water rescue. He saved a child drowning in a pool while working as a lifeguard before becoming a police officer.
