A fast-acting San Diego police officer is being recognized for his role in safeguarding the lives of three individuals from a California family.
Utilizing his canine leash and training acquired as a Marine, the K9 officer was instrumental in rescuing a 47-year-old man in distress, who was accompanied by his twin 2-year-old daughters. This individual was traced to Sunset Cliffs, a coastal location, where a police lieutenant observed the truck veering off the cliff.
Officer Jonathan Wiese employed a 100-foot leash to facilitate his descent down the cliff towards the truck. He shared that it was a stroke of luck that everyone survived, as the truck had flipped upside down onto a rock. This fortunate circumstance spared the girls’ lives, as they had been seated on their father’s lap, rather than in the backseat, which would have otherwise posed a serious threat.
“I could see him and he had one of the girls in his arms, and I have a two-year-old daughter at home so I imagined, what if that was my wife and kid down there? You’re not going to stand there on the cliff and watch it happen,” Wiese said. He looped the leash around him “and by then four or five other cops had shown up so I pretty much threw the end of the leash to them and then I said hang on and I just jumped off.”
Upon reaching the rocky terrain, he swam to the man and the girls, remaining fully clothed. His training from the Marine Corps came into play, as he drew upon his knowledge of water safety rescues. Employing techniques he had learned, he grasped the man under his armpit, imparted a forceful push, and ensured both remained above water.
Notably, he remarked that one of the girls displayed signs of alertness, whereas the other was not as responsive. Wiese proceeded to execute what he referred to as “rescue breathing” until fellow officers lowered a backpack containing supplies down to him using a dog leash. Utilizing these supplies, he successfully hoisted the girls up.
While awaiting a helicopter for the man’s evacuation, he conveyed to Wiese his belief that he was facing imminent death and that the fate of the girls was intertwined with his own.
The man was detained on a charge of attempted murder, and according to San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit, Wiese’s actions were instrumental in preserving the lives of the girls. Chief Nisleit went on to express, “That’s probably the most heroic thing I’ve seen in my 32 years.”
“I didn’t do the job to be liked every day, I didn’t do it to become rich, I did it because I want to be out there making a difference and helping people, as cliche as that might sound, but I was just glad I could be there,” Wiese said.
Due to the courageous and heroic actions of this dedicated San Diego police officer, the lives of the girls were ultimately rescued. Without his decisive intervention, one can only speculate about the potential tragedy that might have unfolded.