Raleigh, North Carolina, Police Department Officers Daniel Mills—a field training officer—and Brendan Vanderhoof—on his first training shift after graduating from the academy the day before—responded to a call for service to assist with a water rescue that involved three struggling swimmers at risk of drowning in a local river. The officers arrived simultaneously with a local water rescue team.

As the rescue team prepared its boats for launch, Officers Mills and Vanderhoof observed two girls in the river. One appeared to be safely on a sandbar; however, the second girl was in the middle of the river, trying to keep her head above water. Both officers evaluated the danger of the situation before swimming out to her. They assisted the young girl back to the shore, saving her from serious injury or death.

While Officer Mills began administering first aid, Officer Vanderhoof saw a water rescue official struggling to bring a male swimmer to shore. He immediately went back into the water and assisted with the rescue. The third swimmer got to shore on her own and received medical treatment. The three individuals were then transported to a local hospital.