CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A police sergeant from New Jersey saved the life of a 2-year-old while on vacation in Florida over the weekend, authorities said.
Morris Township Police Sgt. Sean O'Hare
Morris Township Police Sgt. Sean O'Hare was vacationing at Clearwater Beach, Fla. at about 1:28 p.m. on Sunday when he was "called into action," acting Morris Township Police Chief Mark DiCarlo said in a Facebook post.
"Sgt. O'Hare quickly recognized the commotion and distress surrounding the incident of a two-year-old child that was drowning," DiCarlo said.
The 2-year-old was blue and wasn't breathing when pulled from the water, but O'Hare initiated CPR and was able to resuscitate the child, DiCarlo said.
"On behalf of the Pinellas County, Florida Emergency Services, and the Morris Township Police Department, we recognize the outstanding efforts of Sgt. Sean O'Hare," DiCarlo said. "Thank you for being a true hero."
O'Hare previously made news in 2014 over a crude email he sent about Business Administrator Timothy Quinn amid contract negotiations. He was initially issued a 20-day suspension by the township, which was later reduced to five days. The Public Employment Relations Commission held this past June his email was not protected speech.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.