A Bay County Sheriff’s Office sergeant is being recognized for the kind of split-second decision that reminds communities why local law enforcement matters.

Sgt. Brent Roberts received the Northern District of Florida’s Hometown Hero Award after a March water rescue on Deer Point Lake, according to WJHG/WECP and WMBB reporting republished by AOL.

The rescue unfolded on March 31 near McCall Everett Park after a canoe overturned with two people aboard, WJHG reported. Roberts was in the area when the dispatch call came in, saw one person floating in the water and another calling for help, and entered the water to assist.

WJHG reported that Roberts helped calm one of the boaters and worked to get him back to shore as fatigue set in. Both Roberts and the boater he assisted survived and made full recoveries. One other boater died, according to the same report.

U.S. Attorney Jack Heekin praised Roberts’ actions while presenting the award. “America is the land of the free because we are the home of the brave,” Heekin said, according to WJHG. “And the exceptional bravery and heroism he demonstrated that day as he attempted that water rescue cannot be overstated.”

Roberts told WJHG that the experience reaffirmed his faith and said he did not regret jumping in to help a community member in need. WMBB’s report quoted Roberts saying the moment came down to a split-second decision and that he was thankful he was able to assist.

The Hometown Hero Award was created by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of America’s 250th birthday recognition efforts, according to WMBB. Heekin said the award is meant to recognize law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way for their communities.

For Bay County, the honor puts a name to the kind of quiet courage residents hope is nearby when an ordinary day turns into an emergency: Sgt. Brent Roberts, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Deer Point Lake.

Sources

ThinBlueNews will update this story if additional official information becomes available.