RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh Police Officers Daniel Mills and Branden Vanderhoof were recognized after a water rescue in which the City of Raleigh said they saved two juveniles from drowning.

The city said the officers were featured in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin for their actions during the August rescue. The city’s article notes a spelling inconsistency in related display text, but the main article identifies the officer as Branden Vanderhoof; ThinBlueNews is using that spelling unless a later official correction says otherwise.

First day on the job, and a rescue call

According to the City of Raleigh, Mills and Vanderhoof responded on a hot August day to a call for a water rescue and arrived at about the same time as the water rescue team.

While the water team prepared, the officers assessed the situation. The city said they saw that a swimmer needed immediate assistance and moved into action.

The rescue carried an additional note of significance: the city said it was Officer Vanderhoof’s first day on the job. Together, Mills and Vanderhoof saved the lives of two juveniles, according to the city.

Recognized by Raleigh and highlighted by the FBI

In recognition of the officers’ actions, Captain Daniel Nieters presented Mills and Vanderhoof with posters of the FBI article and an official acknowledgment from Joshua J. Murphy, Acting Assistant Director of the FBI Training Division, according to the City of Raleigh.

The city’s public page includes official Raleigh Police Department photos of the recognition presentation and related display materials honoring the rescue.

Why this story matters

Water rescue calls can unfold faster than formal rescue teams can stage equipment. The Raleigh recognition points to the kind of split-second officer judgment that rarely fits a headline: arriving, reading the scene, deciding someone cannot wait and taking action while other responders are still preparing.

It also shows why training and calm first response matter on ordinary patrol days. For one of the officers, that ordinary day was also his first day in the field.

Sources reviewed

Editorial note: ThinBlueNews used official City of Raleigh/Raleigh Police Department source material and a real city source photo with attribution. No generated rescue scene, victim image or fake officer photo was used.