Kalamazoo Officers Save Man From Icy Lake in 15 Minutes

When a fisherman broke through the ice on a Kalamazoo lake, he had minutes before hypothermia would set in. Officers arrived to find him chest-deep in freezing water, desperately holding onto unstable ice that could give way at any moment.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to the emergency call on Greenleaf Circle just before noon on January 14. The man had ventured about 100 yards from shore when the ice gave way beneath him.

Officers immediately recognized they couldn't reach him safely without help. Within minutes, Squad 6 arrived with cold-water rescue gear designed for exactly this type of emergency.

EO Tech Aaron DeWaal suited up and entered the icy lake himself. Body camera footage captured the tense moment when DeWaal broke through the ice during the rescue, but his specialized gear kept him safe and warm enough to continue.

DeWaal reached the frightened fisherman and secured a life preserver around him. Officers on shore pulled both men back to safety through the treacherous ice.

Why This Inspires

This rescue shows how investing in specialized equipment and training pays off when seconds matter. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety didn't just respond fast. They arrived prepared with the exact tools needed to save a life in dangerous conditions.

DeWaal's willingness to enter those same freezing waters demonstrates the courage first responders show every day. He knew the risks but also knew someone's life depended on his training and bravery.

The fisherman's survival came down to two things: his ability to stay calm in a terrifying situation and the rapid response of officers who train for worst-case scenarios. Emergency crews provided immediate medical attention, and doctors expect him to recover fully with no major injuries.

Body camera footage of the rescue reminds us that behind every emergency call are real people risking their own safety to help strangers in crisis.