Off duty deputy dies saving friend from drowning
theGrio REPORT - Contra Costa Sheriff's Deputy Carlos Francies died on Thursday while trying to save his friend from drowning.
Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Francies died on Thursday while trying to save his friend from drowning.
Francies had rented paddle boards and kayaks and had intended to spend a relaxing day out on the lake with his friend, sibling, and girlfriend. But when his sister fell overboard, it was just the start of a tragic chain of events.
Francies’ sister fell overboard, and Francies’ friend dived in after her to rescue her. While his friend was able to get his sister back to her boat, he began to struggle to stay afloat himself and to make it back to his own boat. That’s when Francies dived in after his friend to try to save him.
Unfortunately, Francies died in the effort, but his friend survived.
“Today we lost a dedicated deputy sheriff and a member of our family,” Sheriff David Livingston said in a statement.
“Deputy Carlos Francies died doing what he was sworn to do: putting himself in harm’s way to protect the lives of others.”
“He is a hero and an example of exactly what is right in law enforcement today,” Livingston said.
