Firefighters Rescue Deer Trapped on Thin Ice in Cheshire Lake

Volunteer crew braves frigid waters to save struggling animal

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:14pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm color and light, depicting the silhouette of a deer standing on thin, reflective ice, with the blurred shapes of firefighters in the background, conveying the emotion and atmosphere of a small-town rescue operation.Firefighters' courageous rescue of a deer trapped on thin ice highlights the community spirit of this small Connecticut town.Cheshire Village Today

When a deer became stranded on the thin ice of Cheshire Lake in Connecticut, a team of volunteer firefighters from the local fire department sprang into action. The crew, including C.J. Garner, Mike Sabato, and Cory Wilcox, carefully made their way out onto the unstable ice to reach the distressed animal. Despite breaking through the ice themselves at one point, the firefighters were able to pull the deer to safety using a rescue sled.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dedication and bravery of small-town volunteer firefighters who are often called upon to handle unique rescue situations, even those involving wildlife. The rescue also demonstrates the importance of community members coming together to help protect local wildlife and the environment.

The details

When the call came in about the deer trapped on the ice, C.J. Garner rushed from his nearby restaurant to join the firefighting crew. Though another team was already on a medical call, Garner, Sabato, and Wilcox made their way out onto the dangerously thin ice of Cheshire Lake. They were able to get within 30 feet of the deer before the ice gave way beneath them. Garner went into the 9-foot-deep water to hook the 85-pound doe, and the team pulled both Garner and the deer to safety using the rescue sled. A Department of Conservation and Recreation officer then arrived to administer a tranquilizer so the deer could be transported and released back into the wild.

  • The call came in around 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2026.
  • The firefighters arrived on the scene and made their way out onto the ice.

The players

C.J. Garner

A 19-year veteran of the Cheshire Fire Department who was working at his nearby restaurant when the call came in.

Mike Sabato

A Cheshire firefighter who assisted in the rescue effort.

Cory Wilcox

A Cheshire firefighter who also helped rescue the deer from the ice.

Cheshire Fire Department

An all-volunteer fire department that responded to the call about the deer trapped on the ice.

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

The state agency that arrived on the scene to administer a tranquilizer to the deer so it could be safely transported and released.

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What they’re saying

“We found stable enough ice for us to be able to traverse out to the deer and we got about 30 feet or so away from the deer and it broke through. And at one point it was fully submerged and had gone underneath the ice shelf and we could see where the deer was and she made her way back to the hole, luckily.”

— C.J. Garner, Firefighter

“If we had released the deer at the scene, she would have ended up back on the lake or on Route 8.”

— C.J. Garner, Firefighter

What’s next

The deer was transported to Pittsfield, where it was released back into the wild after waking up from the sedative administered by the DCR officer.

The takeaway

This rescue operation showcases the dedication and quick thinking of Cheshire's volunteer firefighters, who put themselves at risk to save a distressed animal and protect the local wildlife and environment. It's a heartwarming example of a small community coming together to help one of its own in need.