Lewisville honors police and firefighters after life-saving November water rescue

Lewisville's police and fire departments were honored by the city council for a multi-agency rescue on Nov. 17, 2023, in which responders saved a mother and three children from a vehicle that had entered the water.

Firefighters Jacob Delleshaw (Dellshall/Delleshaw in the transcript), Joseph Sewell and Cooper Hudson entered the water without flotation devices and recovered three victims; two children were in cardiac arrest when brought to shore. Police officers James Fleming and Gary Edge initiated chest compressions while firefighters prepared equipment and paramedics prepared advanced care. All four people made a complete recovery, city officials said.

Fire Department awards of merit were presented to lead rescuers, and police officers received a life-saving award and letters of commendation for their roles in the rescue and patient care on shore and during transport. Fire Chief Mark McNeil and Police Chief Brook Rollins praised the teamwork that made the outcome possible.