MAITLAND, Fla. – A life-saving moment turned into the friendship of a lifetime for the Kidd family and Maitland Police Chief David Manuel.
Sharon Kidd recalls frantically calling 911 after her 2-year-old son, Robert ‘Bob’ Kidd, fell into their family’s pool on Dec. 13, 1990.
Chief Manuel, who was a brand new officer at the time, happened to be around the corner from the family’s Maitland home and got there within 90 seconds.
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“He got out of the car and I just put Bob in his arms and said, ‘The baby fell in the pool!’ Kidd explained. “He dropped to his knees and started CPR. Then he said ‘The baby bit my fingers’ and he started crying and that was just the most gorgeous sound.”
Every year since then, Sharon and Reggie Kidd have delivered sweet treats or lunch to the Maitland Police Department to show their heartfelt gratitude.
It’s a tradition that’s forged an unlikely, but beautiful friendship.
“It’s kind of unreal and surreal that you have that relationship from a tragedy that turned into something blessed. It’s very uncommon that a family would do this and to say thank you and keep doing it... It’s so sweet and nice,” said Chief Manuel.
Despite not remembering the day he fell into the pool, Bob Kidd said he has fond memories as a child, baking cookies for the department and loves that his parents created such a cool relationship.
Over the years, and as he got older, Bob explained he would send pictures and cards to remain in contact, some of the most recent of his own family.
But on Monday, their 20-year separation ended with an emotional hug, as the entire Kidd family visited Maitland PD together.
It’s a bittersweet reunion that the chief said puts a spotlight on Florida’s drowning problem.
According to the Florida Health Department, the Sunshine State leads the United States in child drowning deaths.
“I think all infants should take swimming lessons,” said the Chief, further explaining how much he champions children of all ages learning to swim.
Despite the harsh reality, the family uses the anniversary as a reminder of the day their lives changed.