BAY COUNTY, Fla. — A Bay County Sheriff’s Office sergeant is hospitalized after attempting to rescue two individuals from the water following an overturned kayak Tuesday morning.
According to officials, dispatchers received a 911 call at approximately 11:16 a.m. on March 31, 2026, reporting an overturned kayak on Deer Point Lake with two people in distress.
Deputies responded immediately, and a sergeant assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division was among the first to arrive. Authorities said the sergeant entered the water alongside a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission employee to assist the swimmers.
During the rescue effort, the sergeant was able to reach one of the individuals but began experiencing severe distress after ingesting a significant amount of water. He subsequently lost consciousness.
Emergency medical personnel transported the sergeant to a local hospital, where he remains sedated and intubated. Officials said he is currently in stable condition.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office praised the sergeant’s actions, noting his willingness to risk his own life to help others reflects the highest standards of service and dedication.