Averting tragedy, bodycam footage captured the heroic effort of a Vermont State Police trooper to rescue a little girl who’d fallen into an icy pond.
(Video: WCAX)
News cycles filled with overseas conflict, an escalating border invasion and a broken economy crippling the advancement of an entire generation typically lack for bright spots. Cue Vermont State Police Trooper Michelle Archer whose courage saved one family from a devastating loss.
Friday, the Vermont State Police released footage from a Dec. 17 incident in Cambridge where two young girls had fallen through the ice of a pond. Drawing attention to the story, conservative actor James Woods shared a veteran’s thread with an image of Vermont State Trooper Michelle Archer, a portion of that footage and details of the incident with the caption, “Who is this remarkable person? See the next post…”
Who is this remarkable person? See the next post… https://t.co/pj2sWCnVhq
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 13, 2024
NEWS: The 80-year-old homeowner was able to pull the younger girl to shore but couldn’t reach the older girl, so he called 911.
Trooper Michelle Archer was nearby and arrived less than five minutes later, police said. She pulled a rope and flotation device from her cruiser… pic.twitter.com/Itj5iP12Yz
— Larry (@LarryDJonesJr) January 13, 2024
It had been reported that an eight- and a six-year-old girl had fallen into the pond that day and while an 80-year-old homeowner had been able to rescue the younger child, the other remained beyond his reach. After calling 911, Archer, who had been nearby on patrol, arrived on scene, grabbed a floatation device from the back of her vehicle and rushed into the water.
“Just like an adrenaline rush almost before you even get there, something that you know you have to get there as soon as you can,” she told WCAX as she recounted the events of the day. “Something took over and I just kicked into gear. I don’t know if it was my training or instinct, but panic wasn’t a thought at that moment.”
In the footage, Archer could be seen pulling the girl out of the water and assessing what first aid to render as the child could be heard making noises in distress. Within a moment, fellow Trooper Keith Cote arrived to assist Archer, ultimately carrying the sodden child to an ambulance that had arrived at the scene.
He spoke highly of Archer’s actions that day as he told WCAX, “For Michelle to have carried this young girl with completely saturated clothes in the shape that she was in, as cold as she was, I don’t know that anybody would be able to do that…priority of life for the little girl was number one.”
Though the girl was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington as it was believed she had incurred life-threatening injuries, she was returned home shortly thereafter having reportedly made a full recovery.
Archer, Cote and the homeowner were commended by the Vermont State Police “for their selfless, heroic conduct, and all three have been recommended to receive the agency’s Lifesaving Award,” officials said in a statement.
The heroic trooper balked at the idea of being deemed a hero as she told WCAX, “I don’t consider myself a hero. I happened to be the first one there and a job needed to be done. And like I said before, I was there to do that job.”
Whether she considered it or not, the public shared in the opinion of the Vermont State Police and heaped praise upon Archer for “Incredible, courageous, heroic and selfless” actions.
Wow! Incredible, courageous, heroic and selfless. Give this gal a huge raise and a medal of valor. #BackTheBlue
— Jen Mullin (@JenMullin707) January 13, 2024
What an incredible individual! Bless her!
— Sam Shalhoub (@ShalhoubSam) January 14, 2024
Absolute hero. Well done trooper
— O’G (@DJOGorman26) January 13, 2024
Finally some good news.
— Matthew Nichol (@MatthewNichol5) January 13, 2024
Best news of the day! Thanks for sharing!
— Michael Butler (@MDButler81) January 13, 2024
— StMyles (@StMyles63808) January 13, 2024
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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