WORCESTER, Mass. - A Worcester police officer was pulled out of the water at Green Hill Pond during a rescue attempt on Friday.
Enmanuel "Manny" Familia, 38, a five-year veteran with the Worcester Police Department, was pulled from the water around 2:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after.
During a press conference on Friday, Worcester Police Chief Steve Sargent said, “The Worcester Police Department has lost a friend, a brother and a partner. The City of Worcester has lost a hero.”
Familia leaves his wife Jennifer, daughter Jayla, son Jovan and his parents.
Familia was attempting to rescue a 14-year-old male. Familia and the teen both went under the water during the attempt.
The teen, whose name is being withheld, was pulled from the water at 3:25 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Chief Sargent said Familia and four other officers responded to Green Hill Park around 1:35 p.m. for a report of a person in distress in the pond. The five officers entered the water. Officers brought two individuals to shore. They soon realized Familia and the teen had not made it back to shore.
Seven divers from the Worcester Fire Department were involved in the search and recovery efforts.
On Saturday, the Worcester Police Department will escort Officer Familia from UMass Memorial at 55 North Lake Ave to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Westfield. The procession will leave at 8:30 a.m.
Correction: The original story identifed Enmanuel Familia as "Emmanuel Familia". We apologize for any confusion.