Have you ever witnessed someone jump into action during an emergency?
In a heroic act of bravery, a police officer from Flagler Beach is being lauded for his swift and efficient rescue of two swimmers caught in a perilous rip current on a Tuesday afternoon.
The officer, Dylan Coffman, didn’t hesitate for a moment before plunging into action to aid the struggling swimmers.
Brooke Qualls, a witness to this daring rescue, expressed her amazement, saying, “Seeing him go out there and how quick and efficient it was, [it’s] just amazing seeing that.”
She had just finished her work at Tortugas when she saw Officer Coffman rush to the scene near 7th Street and A1A.
She’d never seen someone move so quickly.
The officer was clearly on a mission.
Recounting the incident, Qualls said, “I saw him immediately fly his door open, and he looked right over the boardwalk. I instantly saw him ripping his vest off, and he jumped over the boardwalk [and] ran.”
It was a sight that showcased the immediate and instinctive response of Officer Coffman to the emergency at hand.
Another onlooker, Sean McSweeney, was also deeply moved by the officer’s actions.
“I’d never seen anything like it,” he shared.
“It was shocking, at the same time heartwarming, to see that a first responder would just jump into action like that, and it was great.”
A video shared with FOX 35 captured the moment Officer Coffman and another good Samaritan returned to shore.
The footage revealed one of the rescued men, visibly exhausted but fortunately, unharmed, showcasing the successful outcome of the rescue mission.
Qualls, still in awe of what she witnessed, mentioned that it was not surprising to see such actions from first responders.
“You see them do what they do every day, and you can just tell they really know what they’re doing, and they know how to handle pretty much any situation that could be handed to them,” she remarked.
This incident serves as a huge reminder of the risks that first responders willingly undertake to ensure the safety of others.
Their courage and commitment to their duty are what make them the unsung heroes of our communities – and they do it day after day despite the risks.
Reflecting on the incident, McSweeney said, “That’s something that I will probably think about at least two times a month for the rest of my life, and I’ll never forget it.”
It was a moment that left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it, highlighting the valor of first responders like Officer Coffman.
FOX 35 attempted to get in touch with the Flagler Beach Police Department to arrange an interview with Officer Coffman.
However, due to his off days, he will not be available until Friday.
The community eagerly awaits to hear from the hero who didn’t think twice before putting his life on the line to save others.
Hear more about this incredible hero in the video below. The world needs more people like Officer Coffman.
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