On July 4th, at approximately 2239 hours, Sergeants Patrick Perry and Aaron DeSantis were at an address on Birch Island Road conducting an investigation into another matter, when all available units were dispatched to the area of 27 South Point Road, for a report of an intoxicated male that was drowning.
Sergeants Perry and DeSantis asked the resident of the address they were at, Anthony Detarnado, to bring them to that area by boat, which he immediately did. They were also joined by two other men, Corey Mailloux and Shawn Smith.
As the boat approached the area, Sgt. Perry located a male estimated to be about 350 – 400 feet from the shore line, but under two to three feet of water. He appeared to be in distress. They shut the engine off to the boat, so that they would not strike him with the propeller but were unable to stop due to having no power. As such, the male ended up under the boat.
Sgt. Perry jumped into the water to aid the male, but given the male’s panicked state, it proved to be very difficult. Sgt. Perry asked for help and Mr. Mailloux jumped in to help Sgt. Perry and the male. Sgt. DeSantis provided light from the boat for them as they helped to save the man from drowning.
Mr. Detarnado was able to maneuver up alongside and both Sgt. DeSantis and Mr. Smith were able to pull up the male, while Sgt. Perry and Mr. Mailloux lifted him up from the water.
They went into Point Breeze Restaurant, where the male was treated by Webster EMS, and transported to UMass hospital as a precaution. It was later learned after speaking with people who were with him, that he had been drinking alcohol that day, and at one point fell hitting his head.
His injuries do not appear to be life threatening and no one else was injured during this incident. The Webster Police is grateful to Mr. Detarnado, Shawn Smith, Corey Mailloux, and Daniel Lacy, who allowed Officer Dan Mehlhouse to take his boat and search for the distressed swimmer. There is no doubt that actions of all those involved prevented a drowning this evening.