Teenager, police officer drown during rescue attempt in pond near Boston

Enmanual Familia died while attempting to save 14-year-old Troy Love, who also drowned

Jun 5, 2021

Enmanuel Familia, an officer of the Worcester Police Department in Massachusetts, died on Friday afternoon while trying to save a teenager from drowning in a pond.

The teen, Troy Love, also died in the pond, according to WWLP.

Familia, 38, was one of several police officers and firefighters who responded to a 911 call of a person drowning in a pond at Worchester’s Green Hill Park. Upon arrival, several people were in the pond, including Love, who was struggling in the water.

Enmanuel Familia (left) and Troy Love (right)

Among the others in the water was Love’s sister, Arieanna Potter, older brother, Joseph Guy, and Guy’s girlfriend, Kristen Breeden, as reported by WBTS-CD. Love and his family were in Worchester on vacation from Virginia. The city of Worcester is about 50 miles west of Boston.

Guy, 21, said that Love was a good swimmer and was attempting to swim across the pond.

“I didn’t know how deep that lake was,” Guy said.

Potter said Love was “OK until he got to the middle, and he was just yelling, ‘Help, help, help,’ like over and over.”

Guy and Breeden tried to save him before police arrived.

“Me and Kristen jumped in the water to try and help him, but his body went under,” Guy told WBTS-CD. “We couldn’t find him.”

Familia, along with four other officers, entered the pond in a rescue attempt. Officers noticed that Familia went missing in the water after they brought two others safely to shore.

Familia was finally located by divers at 2:28 p.m. Familia died later at the hospital.

Love was recovered by divers soon after, but he also was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. The remaining officers who went into the water were evaluated at the hospital, as well as one diver who was treated for minor injuries.

Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent made a statement about Familia’s death at the news conference.

“The Worcester Police Department has lost a brother, friend, and a partner,” Sargent said. “The city of Worcester has lost a hero. We will remember and honor his selfless devotion to Worcester, and his ultimate sacrifice to save someone he didn’t know.”

Familia is survived by his wife, two children and his parents. In honor of Familia, all U.S. and commonwealth flags at state buildings will be flown at half-staff as ordered by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

Love’s family also thanked the Worchester police for trying to save Love.

“To the officer’s family that died, thank you all,” Guy said. “I know we spoke at the hospital, my prayers will be with him.” Potter also stated of Familia, “I just want to say thank you, especially to his family, and I’m sorry that he died saving my brother, but he died a hero.”

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