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Lawrence police officer honored for rescuing boy from icy pond

LAWRENCE,Ind. (WISH) — A Lawrence police officer is being honored for his bravery after rescuing a teenage boy from an icy pond.

It happened on Bob Drive in Lawrence in late January.

The Lawrence City Council approved a resolution Monday night for Officer Dustin Van Treese. Officer Van Treese accepted the award at the Lawrence City Council meeting.

Members honored him for what he did on January 30. He responded to a 911 call to save a 14-year-old boy’s life.

“I don’t consider myself a hero in one shape or form,” said Van Treese, Lawrence Police Department. “I was simply doing my job. I saw a child that was in need and I had to help him.”

Officer Van Treese has been with the Lawrence Police Department for more than a year. Before that, he spent seven years with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

He said he would have done the same thing on duty or not.

“My daughter just automatically popped into my mind. I can’t even imagine you know what his parents were feeling,” said Van Treese.

Officer Van Treese was doing a ride along with council woman Sherron Freeman when the 911 call came in.

“I distinctly remember asking her, I said, do you get car sick and she said no why? And I said because we’re going to be driving fast,” said Van Treese. “I want to get there and she said hit it and away we went.”

Officer Van Treese knew he had to think fast when he got to the scene.

“Without hesitation, I just dropped my duty belt because I know that’s an extra 25 to 30 pounds. Got it down and off me and in the water I went,” said Van Treese.

He said he jumped in the water and pulled the boy out.

“When I got there, the first thing I saw was the child’s head above water and his arms on top of the ice, couldn’t see his lower body,” said Van Treese. “He was obviously, low on energy and couldn’t get himself out.”

Officer Van Treese said he got a chance to meet and talk with the boy after the rescue.

“One of the very first things he said was, hey thanks for rescuing me and I said no problem it’s what I’m here to do,” said Van Treese. “We had a short conversation after that a little bit about safety measures you know ice safety and stuff like that.”

The boy was taken to the hospital and treated for hypothermia.

Officer Van Treese said he will continue to serve and protect. He said he loves his job and wouldn’t have it any other way.