BCSO Sergeant honored as hometown hero after near-fatal water rescue

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A Bay County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant is being recognized as a hometown hero following his efforts during a Deer Point Lake drowning in March.

On March 31, a morning canoe trip at Deer Point Lake turned deadly. Two people were paddling near McCall Everett Park when their canoe overturned. Sergeant Brent Roberts was in the area when a dispatch call came in. He saw a person floating in the water and another one screaming for help. He didn’t think twice before jumping in to help with the rescue. Once he jumped in, he tried to calm one of the boaters and take him to shore.

Minutes in the water felt like forever as he fought the current and fatigue, trying to reach shore. Roberts said his arms were getting tired, but both he and the boater made it back to shore and walked out. From that point, Roberts does not remember much. He woke up 24 hours later in the hospital, surrounded by his family.

“I never really been big into believing, but you know, you go through something like that, and you realize it is true,” said Sergeant Brent Roberts. “I was going to be okay walking out. And he walked out with me. At the end of the day, this whole experience has just reaffirmed my faith.”

One of the boaters died, but the other boater and Roberts made full recoveries.

Roberts received the only Northern District of Florida Hometown Hero Award from the United States Attorney’s Office.

“There was no one more deserving than Sergeant Brent Roberts. America is the land of the free because we are the home of the brave. And the exceptional bravery and heroism he demonstrated that day as he attempted that water rescue cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Attorney Jack Heekin.

Roberts made a full recovery and is ready to go back to putting people in jail. He said he doesn’t regret jumping in and helping a community member in need.

“We can both move forward and enjoy what life has to offer because in an instant, you can be taken away. That day God put me in the right place,” said Roberts.

Hometown Hero awards will also be given out to other agencies across the country.

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