Soddy Daisy, TN Police Save Toddler During Pool Drowning

A cardiac emergency placed a two-year-old girl in immediate danger inside a pool. Her heart went out of rhythm in the water. Responding officers moved quickly during the pool rescue on the deck. Their swift police response saved her.

Responding to the Pool Deck Call

On June 19, 2026, Soddy Daisy Police Department officers responded to a drowning call. The drowning emergency occurred on Montlake Road. Corporal Barker Vaughn and Officer Eddie Richmond arrived first in Soddy Daisy, TN. They rushed directly to the backyard pool deck during the pool emergency.

The officers immediately performed emergency CPR on the toddler. Hamilton County EMS arrived shortly after police began care. Paramedics prepared the child for ambulance transport to Children's Hospital in Chattanooga.

Swift Action and Hospital Care

Sergeant Eric Hindmon, Officer Samuel Chisholm, and Officer Brian Cottell accompanied the ambulance. The child experienced multiple instances where she stopped breathing. Hospital transport followed. The police officers acted swiftly to help stabilize her.

Doctors discovered that a medical emergency caused her heart rhythm to change. The child underwent defibrillator surgery to correct her heart rhythm. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Building Trust Through Dedication

First responders play a vital role in our communities. Their swift CPR rescue provided crucial support.

Officers show true police dedication on every call. Their duty strengthens public safety across the region. Community trust grows in Soddy Daisy through this care.

Honoring Courage and Community Support

We stand in admiration of these five officers. Their professional police action saved a young life. Discover more uplifting police stories in our online library. You help us honor their service whenever you support our mission. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do police officers respond to a pool drowning emergency?

Officers responding to a pool drowning emergency prioritize arriving swiftly on scene to initiate CPR without delay. They deliver continuous life-saving resuscitation while coordinating directly with emergency medical services to prepare the patient for rapid ambulance transport to a specialized medical facility.

2. Why is immediate pediatric CPR critical during a water rescue?

Immediate pediatric CPR restores vital circulation and oxygen flow to brain tissue when a child stops breathing in water. Starting resuscitation right away prevents severe neurological damage and significantly improves overall survival rates before advanced medical staff arrive on the scene.

3. What role do police officers play during emergency medical transport for a drowning victim?

Police officers often escort the transporting ambulance to clear traffic pathways and assist paramedics inside the vehicle if critical intervention is required. Their assistance allows medical personnel to remain fully focused on maintaining the patient's airway and stabilizing vital signs.

4. How can cardiac arrhythmia lead to a pool emergency in young children?

A sudden cardiac arrhythmia disrupts normal heart rhythms and can cause a child to lose consciousness unexpectedly while swimming in a pool. This sudden loss of posture and awareness leads to immediate submersion and respiratory arrest if CPR is not started promptly.

5. How do first responders coordinate during a drowning call at a private residence?

Dispatch centers relay critical real-time incident information to both law enforcement and emergency medical units simultaneously upon receiving a residential drowning report. Responding police officers secure the scene and begin CPR while incoming paramedics prepare specialized advanced life support equipment.

Sources:

• Story and Image Source: Soddy Daisy Police Department