DeLand sergeant awarded Medal of Valor for saving child struggling to swim Sgt. Tony Tagle was off duty in New Smyrna Beach when he noticed the children
DELAND, Fla. – A DeLand Police Department sergeant received two awards for rescuing a child struggling to swim near the New Smyrna Beach jetty in April.
Sgt. Tony Tagle was awarded the department’s Medal of Valor and the Lifesaving Award Tuesday. The Medal of Valor is the department’s second-highest honor, according to a news release.
[TRENDING: Orlando police release new video, seek info after chaos erupts at Lake Eola | Midwest favorite Skyline Chili opening 1st Central Florida store | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!) ]
Tagle was fishing off the jetty while off duty when he saw two young children struggling to swim. He jumped in and saved one child while another beachgoer was helping the second child.
DeLand Chief of Police Jason Umberger presented the awards Tuesday and said that Tagle “showed exceptional courage while saving a life.”
“It shows that we have public servants that are willing to risk their lives for others even when they are off-duty,” Umberger said.
Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.
About the Author Ashley joined ClickOrlando.com in June 2022.
Busy days ahead at Orlando International Airport as holiday travel wraps up ▶ 1:09
Busy days ahead at Orlando International Airport as holiday travel wraps up
Meet Clayton Royal Johnson, known for playing Andy in Seasons 4 and 5 of Stranger Things ▶ 1:31
Meet Clayton Royal Johnson, known for playing Andy in Seasons 4 and 5 of Stranger Things
Missing child found with ‘pervert’ during chaotic traffic stop in Flagler County, sheriff says ▶ 0:50
Missing child found with ‘pervert’ during chaotic traffic stop in Flagler County, sheriff says
Officials probe cause of 11 bird deaths at Orlando’s Lake Eola ▶ 0:54
Officials probe cause of 11 bird deaths at Orlando’s Lake Eola
Man flees over 100 mph after being pursued for armed robberies in Marion County ▶ 0:31
Man flees over 100 mph after being pursued for armed robberies in Marion County
Heroic neighbors help save man from house fire ▶ 0:59
Heroic neighbors help save man from house fire
What's going on with downtown Orlando? ▶ 0:18
What's going on with downtown Orlando?
Volusia Sheriff's Office rescues boy from pond ▶ 0:51
Volusia Sheriff's Office rescues boy from pond
Police and fishermen help rescue stranded French bulldog ▶ 0:47
Police and fishermen help rescue stranded French bulldog
13-year-old girl killed in Christmas day shooting ▶ 0:47
13-year-old girl killed in Christmas day shooting
Cocoa Beach police to Surfing Santas attendees: Park where you should, for goodness sake ▶ 0:53
Cocoa Beach police to Surfing Santas attendees: Park where you should, for goodness sake
Lake County 4-H ‘Goat Busters’ track down escaped goat in woods ▶ 0:46
Lake County 4-H ‘Goat Busters’ track down escaped goat in woods
Artifacts removed from Pulse site for preservation as building nears demolition date ▶ 0:58
Artifacts removed from Pulse site for preservation as building nears demolition date
Persistent internet sales pitches cause frustration among St. Cloud homeowners ▶ 0:49
Persistent internet sales pitches cause frustration among St. Cloud homeowners
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown? ▶ 0:28
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown?
Volusia sheriff confronts suspect accused of defrauding over 100 students of overseas trip ▶ 0:34
Volusia sheriff confronts suspect accused of defrauding over 100 students of overseas trip
✨What is the Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? ▶ 1:21
✨What is the Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Florida families allege Hurricane Roofer cashes checks but failed to deliver roof replacements ▶ 0:37
Florida families allege Hurricane Roofer cashes checks but failed to deliver roof replacements
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown? ▶ 0:28
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown?
Surfing Santa at Cocoa Beach ▶ 1:37
Surfing Santa at Cocoa Beach
Drone deliveries coming to Central Florida ▶ 0:27
Drone deliveries coming to Central Florida
Looking for festive fun this season? Here are 6 things to do this weekend! ▶ 0:48
Looking for festive fun this season? Here are 6 things to do this weekend!
Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rules ▶ 0:45
Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rules
Man accused of dumping missing Brevard County woman’s body after sex, fatal overdose in 2023 ▶ 0:55
Man accused of dumping missing Brevard County woman’s body after sex, fatal overdose in 2023
Ocoee woman accused of sending sexual videos of 13-year-old to prison inmate ▶ 1:04
Ocoee woman accused of sending sexual videos of 13-year-old to prison inmate
Previous photo Next photo 