Three officers honored for reviving man who almost drowned

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Three harbor police officers received commendations Monday for reviving a man who nearly drowned earlier this month. 

Officers Christopher Scheil, Sam Davis and Patrick Hennigan saved the life of the 26-year-old victim on July 9.

His friends found him unresponsive and began CPR after he attempted to show how long he could hold his breath under water at a swimming pool at a marine on Harbor Island Drive. 

According to the Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department, the three officers took over CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator until medics arrived. 

"This incident highlights the importance of highly trained and well equipped officers to include knowledge of CPR and deploying AED kits," Assistant Harbor Police Chief Mark Stainbrook said. "The lifesaving response they provide to an unresponsive victim in the first few minutes until paramedics arrive is critical to the victim's ultimate survival.''

Scheil, Davis and Hennigan will receive Lifesaving Citations for their efforts.

"These officers embody the teamwork and professionalism that define our Harbor Police Department,'' Harbor Police Chief John Bolduc said. "Their professional skill and conduct, along with their preparation and training, helped them save a life. This is the most important duty entrusted to us by the public.''