Police officer on braving icy waters to rescue injured dog

Key Concepts

• Heroic Rescue: An act of bravery in saving a life.
• Animal Control: Agency responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws and managing stray animals.
• Catch Pole: A tool used by animal control officers to safely restrain animals.
• Body Cam Video: Footage recorded by a camera worn by law enforcement officers.
• Current: The continuous, directed movement of water.
• Humane Law Enforcement Officer: An officer who investigates animal cruelty and enforces animal welfare laws.

Officer Matthew Schmidt's Rescue of an Injured Dog

This summary details the heroic actions of Atlantic City Police Officer Matthew Schmidt, who rescued an injured dog from the cold bay. The incident was captured on body camera footage from the Atlantic City Fire Department.

The Incident and Initial Response

• Dog's Escape: The dog had escaped from animal control and was still wearing a catch pole around its neck.
• Pursuit: Officer Schmidt and other officers were pursuing the dog in the neighborhood, hoping it would tire out.
• Cornered and Jumped: The dog was cornered in a vacant lot that bordered the bay. It then jumped into the water.
• Dog's Distress: Unlike most dogs that would return to shore quickly, this dog continued to swim further away.
• Officer's Concerns: Officer Schmidt was concerned about the dog's well-being due to the strong current and the weight of the catch pole around its neck, fearing it might go under.

Decision to Enter the Water

• Time Constraint: Officer Schmidt immediately called for a boat from the fire department or the nearby Coast Guard base. However, the estimated time for a boat to arrive was longer than he was comfortable with.
• Urgency: He recognized that time was a critical factor and that waiting for a boat might result in losing the dog.
• Personal Intervention: Driven by the fear of the dog drowning, Officer Schmidt decided to enter the water himself to perform the rescue.

The Rescue Swim

• Distance and Conditions: Officer Schmidt swam approximately 100 yards against a strong current to reach the dog.
• Challenges:
  • Current: He underestimated the strength of the current until he was in the water.
  • One-Handed Swim: On the return journey, he had to swim with only one free hand because he had secured his own pole around the dog to help it swim back. This made the swim significantly more difficult.
  • Perception of Distance: He noted that the shore seemed to be getting further away as he swam back.
• Personal Safety: While he acknowledged the difficulty, Officer Schmidt stated he wasn't thinking too much about his own safety, describing himself as a "pretty strong swimmer."

Aftermath and Reflections

• Relief: Upon reaching the shore, Officer Schmidt expressed immense relief, particularly feeling solid ground beneath him.
• Hero Status: When asked about being called a hero, he humbly stated, "I'm just happy the dog lived. I wasn't trying to be a hero. I just did not I I just was not prepared to let this dog to lose this dog."
• Motivation and Message:
  • Officer Schmidt is a humane law enforcement officer who investigates animal cruelty crimes.
  • He hopes his actions will inspire others to act similarly in similar situations and to have compassion for animals.
  • His core message is about preventing animals from drowning and acting with empathy.

Conclusion

Officer Matthew Schmidt's swift and courageous decision to enter the cold bay and swim against a strong current to rescue an injured dog exemplifies bravery and dedication to animal welfare. His actions highlight the importance of immediate intervention when an animal's life is at risk and underscore his commitment as a humane law enforcement officer.