Police officer recruits rescue man from canal after crash

MELBOURNE,Fla - Three police recruits are in the early stages of their career, but they acted like professionals after they saved a man on Saturday afternoon.

The three men were cleaning up as the West Melbourne Police Spring Festival wrapped up.

The men said it had been raining hard, and they saw a car drive off the road and into a nearby canal.

The three recently hired WMPD Police Officer Recruits Mitchell Faircloth, Joshua Kennedy, and William Hicks sprang into action.

Kennedy called 911, while Faircloth and Hicks jumped into the canal as the car slipped further into the water. Fearing the car would soon become submerged, Faircloth was able to open the driver's door and take the seatbelt off of the driver.

As they carried the elderly man out of the canal, they realized the he needed medical attention and was possibly in shock.

Hicks, Faircloth, and Kennedy reverted to their recently completed First Aid Training in the Law Enforcement Academy and tended to the victim until paramedics arrived.

When asked about the situation, Faircloth stated, "We felt obligated because it was the right thing to do." Each of them felt that their recent first aid training "absolutely helped" as they aided the victim.

There is currently no update on the man who crashed into the canal.

However, Chief Wiley said, "These young men acted heroically and without hesitation. They exhibited the exact qualities I look for when hiring police officers. I could not be more proud of their actions and anxiously await for them to become certified police officers. I'd also like to thank City Council Member John 'Coach' Tice for his assistance during this incident."