An ICE officer made a snap decision to leap into a Florida pool when he spotted a child struggling to stay afloat, an act of heroism that comes as the agency faces intense criticism and protests outside immigration detention facilities.
Gregory Simmonds was at a community pool in Pasco County on Florida’s Gulf Coast when he noticed a young child floating unconscious in the water.
Closed-circuit footage from the pool showed Simmonds look over at the child and, without hesitation, jump into the pool fully clothed and quickly reach the child to render aid.
Simmonds carried the child back to the edge of the pool where they were resuscitated on dry land.
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An officer with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Tampa, Simmonds administered CPR to the child until the child regained consciousness.
Law enforcement said the child is now expected to make a full recovery, according to ICE.
“This officer swiftly sprung to action and delivered life-saving medical care to this 6-year-old who drowned,” said Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis.
“Our agents truly are the best of the best. They put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst. Instead of demonizing ICE law enforcement, sanctuary politicians should be thanking them for removing criminals from their communities.”
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. J. Leathers added in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that due to Simmonds’ quick thinking and decisive actions – and “willingness to place himself into action during a critical incident, the child survived and is expected to make a full recovery.”
“His actions directly contributed to saving the life of the child and reflect exceptional courage and selflessness.”
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Simmonds’ heroism is only the latest example of DHS officers saving lives on the spur of the moment.
In March, an agent who was supporting the Transportation Security Administration at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Howard Beach, New York, helped save the life of a 1-year-old experiencing a medical emergency.
When a father was heard screaming in the terminal, the agent “sprang into action and saved [their] life,” according to Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
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“Despite the endless smears and lies told about them by sanctuary politicians and the media, our ICE officers show up every day to protect the Homeland and their fellow Americans.”
In another case, multiple off-duty ICE agents saved another child from drowning in a hotel pool in February.
While dining in Plymouth, Minnesota, the agents were approached by a woman seeking help.
The agents swiftly went to the pool where they performed CPR for several minutes until police and EMS arrived.
The rescues come as ICE agents face protests outside facilities like New Jersey’s Delaney Hall, where demonstrators have labeled them “fascists” and “mercenaries.”
Fox News’ Bill Melugin contributed to this report.
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