Video shows ICE officer jumping into Florida pool fully clothed to save drowning 6-year-old child

PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA: An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer is being hailed as a hero after surveillance footage captured him jumping into a Florida community pool to rescue an unconscious 6-year-old child.

The dramatic rescue unfolded in Pasco County, where Gregory Simmonds, an officer with ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Tampa, spotted the child floating motionless in the water.

Video released by authorities shows Simmonds looking toward the pool before immediately springing into action. Without hesitation, he jumped into the water fully clothed and quickly reached the child.

Simmonds then carried the child to the pool's edge and began administering life-saving aid. 

ICE officer saves drowning child with CPR

According to ICE, Simmonds performed CPR until the child regained consciousness. Authorities said the child is expected to make a full recovery. The surveillance footage shows the entire rescue taking place within seconds, highlighting the speed of Simmonds' response during the emergency.

Local law enforcement officials credited the officer's quick thinking with saving the child's life.

Pasco County Sheriff's Office Cpl J Leathers said Simmonds' actions were instrumental in preventing a tragedy. "His actions directly contributed to saving the life of the child and reflect exceptional courage and selflessness," Leathers said in a statement.

DHS hails ICE officer's heroic rescue

The Department of Homeland Security later shared footage of the rescue on social media, praising Simmonds for his heroism.

"Our heroic @ICEgov officers truly are the BEST OF THE BEST," DHS said in a post on X. "Thank you to Officer Simmonds for jumping into action to save this 6-year-old child from drowning."

Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis also commended the officer, saying he "swiftly sprung to action and delivered life-saving medical care" during the incident.

The rescue comes as ICE officers continue to face scrutiny and protests over immigration enforcement policies nationwide. Federal officials pointed to Simmonds' actions as an example of law enforcement officers stepping in to help during emergencies, regardless of whether they are on duty.

Authorities said the child's survival and expected recovery were made possible by the officer's immediate intervention.

The footage has since drawn widespread attention online, with many praising Simmonds for reacting without hesitation when seconds mattered most.

Reports differ on the child's gender. Fox News identified the child as a 6-year-old girl, while CBS News referred to the child as a 6-year-old boy. As authorities have not publicly clarified the discrepancy, this story refers to the individual as a "6-year-old child."