Life Saving Incident

On July 14, 2023 Officer Mark Harris of the Wilbraham Police Department, responded to a call regarding two people who had entered a river in an inflatable raft. Because of heavy rains in the area, the department received a call when someone became concerned after seeing the couple enter the waters. Officer Harris located the raft and it's occupants floating near the intersection of two spillways from the nearby hydro dam. When the raft began floating away, the man jumped overboard and attempted to swim and push the raft towards the shoreline. Because of the strong current, the man became entangled in the raft's anchor and was pulled underwater. Officer Harris then decided to risk his own life by entering the dangerous water conditions. He swam out to the couple as the raft was carried downstream. Harris reached the raft and calmed the man down. He assisted his in disentangling the anchor and then assisted in pulling the raft to shore. Due to Harris' quick actions the lives of the couple were removed a life endangering incident. Officer Harris was commended for his bravery and received the life saving medal.