Key West, Florida Cop Rescues Man and 161-Pound Great Dane

A police water rescue in Key West, Florida does not always arrive with warning. Police received a call reporting someone yelling for help near Cow Key Bridge. Officer Corey Vanderhoof of the Key West Police Department responded quickly and tracked the cries to Hurricane Hole. What he found there would take everything he had.

Twenty Minutes in the Water

The Great Dane had fallen in first. The dog owner jumped in after him without a second thought. But the dog, a 161-pound Great Dane, was too heavy to pull to safety. The man could not get the dog out. He could not get himself out. For nearly 20 minutes, he fought to keep both of them afloat. He called for help the entire time.

He Removed His Gear and Went In

Officer Vanderhoof did not wait. He removed his gear and jumped into the water. He swam the exhausted Great Dane to Officer Tanika Storey on the dock. Then he turned around and went back. The man was barely holding onto a nearby boat when Officer Vanderhoof reached him. He guided the man safely back to the dock. The pet owner was reunited with his dog.

What Officers Carry Into Every Call

Moments like this Great Dane rescue in Key West do not happen by chance. They are the result of training and quick thinking. Officers build that readiness and carry it with them on every shift. Officer Vanderhoof and Officer Storey did not just respond to a water rescue call that evening. They chose to act quickly and under real physical pressure. Both put someone else's safety before their own. That is what first responder work looks like when it matters most. That is also what positive police news looks like when a good cop does the job and asks for nothing in return.

Pride in the People Who Go In After You

The Key West Police Department shared this rescue story on May 28, 2026. The public response was immediate. People recognized something real in what Officer Vanderhoof did. They saw what a first responder hero looks like in a moment that requires everything.

We Love Police exists to make sure stories like this one reach the people who need to hear them. The organization supports officers and their families through chaplain care and community programs. It also provides the kind of recognition that rarely catches up with people doing this work. 

You can read more accounts of animal rescue, water rescue, and the untold moments of good from law enforcement on our stories section.. If this rescue story stirred something in you, pride in officers like Corey Vanderhoof who go back a second time, a donation to our nonprofit puts your support directly where it belongs: donate here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can police officers legally enter water to save someone who is drowning?

Yes, officers are authorized to enter water when there is an imminent threat to a person's life, and many departments train for exactly these situations. The authority falls under their duty to act in life-threatening emergencies, regardless of the environment involved.

2. Why do officers remove their gear before jumping into water during a rescue?

Officers remove duty belts, vests, and weapons before entering water because the combined weight can quickly exceed 30 pounds and pull a person under. Removing gear first is a critical safety step that protects the officer from becoming a second victim in the water.

3. How do police coordinate a rescue when both a person and an animal need help at the same time?

Officers typically prioritize the most immediate threat to life and use a relay method when possible, passing one victim to a partner before returning for the next. Clear communication between officers on scene is essential for preventing further casualties during a multi-victim rescue.

4. How long can a person realistically stay afloat in open water before exhaustion sets in?

It depends on water temperature, fitness level, and technique, but most people in active panic exhaust themselves within 10 to 30 minutes in calm water. Cold water dramatically shortens that window and can cause incapacitation in a matter of minutes.

5. What should you do if your large dog falls into open water and cannot get out on its own?

Call 911 immediately and stay visible near the water, but do not jump in after a large or panicking dog unless you are a trained swimmer with a flotation device. A distressed animal can inadvertently pull a person underwater while struggling to stay afloat.

Sources:

• Story Source: Key West Police Department Recruiting’s Facebook Post

• Additional Reporting: Key West police officer hailed as hero after rescue | Local10