Louisiana Officer Honored Nationally After Rescuing Child And Grandmother From Drowning In Car

(KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - For saving a small child, grandmother, and dog from a sinking automobile after it drove into a canal, a Vinton police sergeant has garnered national attention.

Pamela Dennis, 54, was traveling home with her 4-year-old granddaughter on July 15, 2022, when her little puppy became frightened and fled under her feet, forcing her to go off the road and into a canal beside I-10. The SUV's front end began to sink in ten feet of water.

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Sgt. Dempsey Lavergne III, a 31-year-old officer from Ragley, sprung into action upon arriving on the scene. Bystanders told the sergeant that someone was trapped in the vehicle.

He swam out to the SUV that was more than 30 feet into the canal from the bank. Sgt. Lavergne could hear yelling from inside the sinking vehicle. He smashed the back windshield; Dennis handed the officer her granddaughter and he swam back to shore with her, leaving the child with a Good Samaritan.

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He returned to the SUV; Dennis handed him the puppy. Sgt. Lavergne threw the dog towards the shore and the animal was able to swim to safety.

At this time the car was completely under water except for the very top of the SUV. Sgt. Lavergne smashed the sunroof, stuck his head inside the submerged vehicle and pulled Dennis out the vehicle.

Sgt. Dempsey Lavergne III was awarded the Carnegie Hero Medal today.

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