The word “hero” gets thrown around a lot. But if there were ever somebody who deserved the label, it’s this state trooper.
This incredible rescue happened last month, and bodycam footage shows off just how heroic this officer’s actions were.
It all started when two young girls fell through the ice while playing on a frozen pond at their Cambridge, Vermont home. The younger girl, who was 6 years old, was rescued by a nearby homeowner. But they weren’t able to reach her 8-year old sister, who was trapped in the frigid water.
Luckily, Vermont State Trooper Michelle Archer was able to get to the property within 5 minutes of receiving the call, and quickly sprung into action.
Archer ran to the pond with a rope and floatation device, and was able to jump in herself to pull the young girl to safety.
Fellow officers quickly responded to the scene and assisted Archer as they waited on an ambulance to show up.
The girl was taken to a hospital, where her injuries were initially thought to be life threatening, but she’s since made a full recovery and has been able to return home. Her younger sister has also fully recovered from the terrifying incident.
Archer spoke about the harrowing rescue:
“Just like an adrenaline rush almost before you even get there, something that you know you have to get there as soon as you can. Something took over and I just kicked into gear. I don’t know if it was my training or instinct, but panic wasn’t a thought at that moment…
I’ve told a lot of people, a lot of things lined up that day just to lead us to the outcome that we had.”
And her partner, Trooper Keith Cote, who assisted Archer on the scene, praised his colleague’s heroic actions:
“For Michelle to have carried this young girl with completely saturated clothes in the shape that she was in, as cold as she was, I don’t know if anybody would be able to do that…
Priority of life for the little girl was number one.”
Archer, Cote and the homeowner have all been recommended by the Vermont State Police to receive their agency’s Lifesaving Award for their bravery and selflessness. But Archer said that she doesn’t consider herself a hero:
“I don’t consider myself a hero. I happened to be the first one there and a job needed to be done. And like I said before, I was there to do that job.”
Not to argue with a police officer, but gonna have to on this one: You’re definitely a hero.
