Indianapolis Police Officers Honored for Icy Pond Rescue

Five officers pulled a father and two children from a retention pond in January.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:47am

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Five Indianapolis police officers were recognized on Tuesday for their heroic actions in rescuing a father and his two children from an icy retention pond earlier this month. The officers heard a child's cries for help around midnight on January 13 and found the family struggling in the freezing water, quickly jumping in to pull them to safety.

Why it matters

The officers' quick thinking and bravery in the face of a dangerous situation likely saved the lives of the family. Incidents like this highlight the important role police play in responding to emergencies and protecting the public, even in difficult conditions.

The details

Just after midnight on January 13, Officer Owen Duckett was patrolling near Pendleton Pike and Interstate 465 when he heard a child yelling for help. Duckett found the father and two children in the retention pond, struggling to stay afloat in the icy water. The officer immediately jumped into the pond and, with the help of four other officers who arrived on the scene, was able to pull the family to safety.

  • On January 13, 2026, around midnight, the incident occurred.
  • On January 28, 2026, the officers were honored for their actions.

The players

Officer Owen Duckett

An Indianapolis police officer who first responded to the emergency call and jumped into the icy pond to rescue the family.

The father and two children

A family who became trapped in an icy retention pond and were rescued by the officers.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the vital role police officers play in responding to emergencies and putting themselves at risk to protect the public. The officers' actions demonstrate the importance of having well-trained first responders who are prepared to handle dangerous situations to save lives.