Indianapolis Officers Rescue Children from Icy Pond

Police hailed as heroes after daring ice rescue caught on camera

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:31pm

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Several Indianapolis and Lawrence police officers were praised as heroes after they rescued two young siblings from an icy pond in Lawrence, Indiana. The dramatic rescue, captured on police body cameras, showed the officers using rope bags to pull the father and children to safety as one child received CPR. The officers were awarded medals of valor for their heroic efforts.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the bravery and quick thinking of local law enforcement, who risked their own safety to save lives in a dangerous, life-threatening situation. The successful rescue also underscores the importance of police training and equipment in enabling officers to respond effectively to emergencies.

The details

Police say the car carrying the father and two children went into a retention pond on Pendleton Way just before midnight on January 12. Eight officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Lawrence Police Department worked together to carry out the daring rescue, using rope bags to pull the victims to shore. One of the children, a young girl, was in desperate need and received CPR from the officers before being rushed to the hospital.

  • The incident occurred just before midnight on January 12, 2026.
  • The officers were honored and awarded medals of valor on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Daschon Sims

The 28-year-old father who died after the car went into the icy pond.

Officer Erica Eder

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer who helped rescue the children and was impacted by seeing the young girl's condition.

IMPD Chief Chris Bailey

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department chief who praised the officers' bravery and teamwork in the dangerous rescue operation.

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What they’re saying

“As soon as we took the little girl to the ambulance is when I realized the magnitude of what we just did. I think after we did our part, we were like, 'Oh wow, we could've just saved a life.'”

— Officer Erica Eder, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer (WISH TV)

“This was an extremely dangerous situation. The darkness and freezing conditions in the murky water made for an almost impossible situation. The bravery and teamwork shown by the Lawrence police department and IMPD made the impossible possible.”

— IMPD Chief Chris Bailey (WISH TV)

What’s next

The officers who participated in the rescue will be formally honored and awarded medals of valor by their respective police departments in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the critical role of well-trained and equipped law enforcement in responding to emergencies and saving lives, even in the most dangerous and challenging circumstances. The officers' bravery and quick thinking prevented an even greater tragedy.