California State Police Officer

Department of General Services

5/10/1994

Special Act Award (Gold)

At approximately 4:00 pm while en route home following a tour of duty, Officer Arding observed two Stockton Police Officers struggling with a man who was resisting their efforts to pull him from McLeod Lake (the Stockton deep water channel). The officers were hanging over the railing, attempting to hold him by his belt. Officer Arding stopped to render assistance and advised the officers that he was willing to enter the water, if necessary. At that point, the man's belt broke and he slipped from the officer's grasp. The man swam approximately 60 feet toward the center of the channel where he began to flounder. After a short time, he became motionless and began floating face down in the water. Officer Arding then jumped from the railing (10 feet above the water) into the frigid channel. The man was not breathing when Officer Arding reached him. Officer Arding assumed a rescue hold on the man and swam him back to the north bank of the channel. He detected the man was breathing and while unable to lift him out of the water, held the man for five minutes treading water until a boat arrived to assist. Officer Arding used the water rescue technique of cradling the man's chin in the bend of his elbow to keep his head above water and open his airway. The man, who was reported in serious condition, is expected to make a full recovery.