STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — A Sterling Heights police officer rescued a kayaker in distress after she fell into the Clinton River over the weekend.
Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report:
Police say Officer Nickolas Bruno responded to Riverland Park on May 10 around 2:30 p.m. and found a woman clinging to a tree in the middle of the river.
WATCH: Body camera video shows rescue of kayaker in Sterling Heights
"My first thought was this woman needs help," says Bruno. "So I went in there and did my best to help her."
FULL INTERVIEW: Officer Nickolas Bruno talks about kayaker rescue
Officials say the woman was not wearing a life jacket and was calling for help.
The officer reportedly rushed into the water and swam with her back to shore after a Good Samaritan gave her their life jacket.
The woman’s daughter also lost her kayak, but was found safe on a log dam, police say.
Officials say the woman told them that she, her daughter and her niece were out kayaking for the first time.
The Sterling Heights Police Department says Officer Bruno is a U.S. Navy veteran and “displayed exceptional bravery and selflessness by risking his own life in the rescue.”
