On September 10, 2020, the National Weather Service issued an emergency flash flood watch. Rain poured down and quickly caused the nearby Rock Creek to overflow and dangerously fill the roadway.

OPS Officer Patrick Bero noticed a person was stuck inside a vehicle that was becoming submerged. He quickly radioed for assistance. Sgt. Jeffrey Matthews arrived on scene in the police’s Polaris, picked up Officer Bero, and together they made their way to the flooded vehicle, which was stuck in water that almost surpassed the door handles. Officer Bero assisted the driver of the vehicle through the passenger side window and onto the bed of the Polaris. After the driver was removed, the vehicle floated sideways on the roadway with the back of the car facing the flood-swollen Rock Creek. Fortunately, the OPS officers successfully rescued the driver from the dangerous situation, and delivered them unharmed onto dry land.

NZP officers made this rescue possible by working together to keep staff and visitors safe during a flash flood emergency.