Around 1 a.m. on Thursday, Lauderhill Police officers responded to an urgent call at 6200 S Falls Circle Drive. A vigilant citizen reported seeing a child running toward a nearby lake from a parking lot, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
Upon their arrival, officers quickly assessed the situation. The bodycam footage revealed Lauderhill Police Sgt. Joseph Nistor spotting the young girl, who was already waist-deep in the cold water of the lake. Demonstrating quick thinking, Sgt. Nistor called out for assistance as he approached the child, intent on bringing her to safety.
As Sgt. Nistor waded into the lake, he encountered unexpected difficulty when he became trapped in the muddy lakebed. In a coordinated effort, officers Ivan Perez and Nicholas Colon rushed to help, working together to extricate both Sgt. Nistor and the child from the mud, ensuring their safety on solid ground.
Sgt. Nistor then handed the child over to another officer, who aided in freeing him from the muck. Once everyone was safely on dry land, the officers began inquiring about the child’s identity to ensure her well-being. Their efforts culminated in reuniting the girl with her mother, who arrived shortly after the dramatic rescue. The mother explained that her daughter had wandered away unexpectedly, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such incidents.
Following the rescue, fire rescue personnel assessed the girl’s condition on the scene. As a precautionary measure, her parents later transported her to a hospital for a thorough evaluation to ensure her health.
In the aftermath of this heart-stopping event, Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley emphasized the importance of water safety. She urged parents to use this incident as a vital reminder to educate their children about the dangers of water and to maintain vigilant supervision whenever children are near water bodies.
This brave rescue in Lauderhill serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role law enforcement plays in public safety. The quick actions of Sgt. Joseph Nistor and his fellow officers not only saved a young life but also highlighted the importance of community vigilance and awareness in preventing potential tragedies.
Source: WSVN
