WATCH: Police Officer Dives Into Frigid Pond To Save Young Girl

The heroics of two Vermont State Troopers during a heart-wrenching water rescue on Dec. 17th are being hailed by the State Police after they successfully saved an 8-year-old girl who had fallen through the ice.

According to WCAX, Vermont State Police said that in Cambridge on Dec. 17th at a private pond State Trooper Michelle Archer was patrolling nearby when she answered a call. Two young girls had reportedly fallen through the thin ice. One of the girls aged six was pulled from the water quickly by a bystander. However, the eight-year-old was still in the pond.

Dash camera and body camera footage showed Archer leap into action with utter disregard for her own well-being. The trooper quickly grabbed a floatation device and plunged herself into the frigid water. “Just like an adrenaline rush almost before you even get there, something that you know you have to get there as soon as you can.” Archer explained.

She told the outlet,

“Something took over and I just kicked into gear. I don’t know if it was my training or instinct, but panic wasn’t a thought at that moment.”

WATCH:

Archer can be seen swimming at speed across the approximately 8 ft. pond as reported by WCAX. Reviewing the video with reporters she pointed out, “Right here is when I pull her actually out of the water and that’s when I’m thinking to start CPR if needed.”

Just moments after Archer emerged from the water with the girl, Trooper Keith Cote arrived on the scene and began rendering assistance. “For Michelle to have carried this young girl with completely saturated clothes in the shape that she was in, as cold as she was, I don’t know if anybody would be able to do that. So, that I was dry and warm — priority of life for the little girl was number one,” Cote said.

Cote is later seen carrying the girl to a waiting ambulance. She was transported to an area hospital and survived her harrowing plunge into the frozen pond the outlet reported thanks to her brave rescuers. She has since made a full recovery and is recuperating at home with family.

“The most important outcome is how healthy she is now,” Cote said. Archer added, “I’ve told a lot of people, a lot of things lined up that day just to lead us to the outcome that we had.”

When asked if she considered herself a hero by reporters, Archer was humble, “I don’t consider myself a hero. I happened to be the first one there and a job needed to be done. And like I said before, I was there to do that job.”

According to The Vermont Daily Chronicle, State Police Lt. Cory Lozier told the press,

“As their Commander, I could not be more proud of Trooper Archer and Trooper Cote. Their swift actions and efforts were selfless and heroic. Both Troopers responded to the scene within minutes of the call and immediately went into action, with zero hesitation or regard for their own safety. Because of their actions that day, a very young girl is alive and well.”

Both Troopers Archer and Cote, as well as the unnamed Good Samaritan, have been recommended by the Vermont State Police for its Lifesaving Award.