A city police officer’s quick response is being credited with saving the life of a Shawano man who was foundering in the water south of the dam at Sturgeon Park on Saturday.
Police got a call around 1:15 p.m. about a man in the water calling for help, according to the police report.
Several people on the shore reported the man was still in the water when officer Kurt Kitzman arrived. They said the man couldn’t swim and was going under.
The man — later identified as James Thomas, 49 — was bobbing about 25 to 30 feet off shore and indicating he couldn’t breathe, according to the report.
Kitzman retrieved a throw-rope from his squad and made two attempts to reach Thomas, according to the report. The first attempt landed behind him and Thomas was unable to turn and grab the rope.
The rope landed in front of Thomas on the second try, and he was able to grab on so Kitzman could pull him to safety.
Officer Brian Magee also assisted at the scene, and Shawano Ambulance Service was called to check Thomas out after the incident.
Police said Thomas jumped into the water without realizing how deep it was. The water in that area can drop off as deep as 18 feet, police said.
Police Chief Ed Whealon praised Kitzman’s fast action.
“His quick thinking and ability to respond quickly certainly meant the difference for a good outcome,” he said.
Whealon said Kitzman would get some recognition at Wednesday’s Common Council meeting, but he said he is also looking into initiating some sort of departmental award for life-saving efforts such as Kitzman’s that officers could wear on their uniforms.
“We’ve had a number of officers do some really neat stuff and the community should be aware of what they do,” Whealon said.
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