A police officer in Indiana is being celebrated for his quick and selfless actions after rescuing a young boy with autism who had wandered away from home and fallen into a backyard pool.

The incident, caught on the officer’s body camera, shows the dramatic moment he sprinted into the yard and jumped fully clothed into the water to save the struggling child. Thanks to his fast response, the boy was pulled to safety and later found to be in stable condition.

The child, whose name remains private, had quietly slipped out of his home—something not uncommon for children with autism, who may be drawn to water. A nearby resident noticed movement in the pool and called 911, setting the life-saving response into motion.

“This could have ended in heartbreak,” a police spokesperson said. “But because of quick thinking and courage, a young life was saved.”

The rescue video has since gone viral, drawing praise from across the country. But it’s also sparking deeper conversations about the safety of children with special needs. Experts urge parents and communities to consider safeguards like fencing, door alarms, and GPS trackers to help prevent tragedies.

The boy is now home and safe, and the officer will be formally recognized at a future public event. For now, his community is simply thankful—and reminded how a single act of bravery can change everything.