The powerful forces of rising stormwater all too often can disable vehicles and create emergency situations that call for quick thinking. When a mother and her three children found themselves stranded when rushing water from an overflowing drainage channel partially submerged their car in White Settlement, Texas, last month, Sergeant John Banner of the White Settlement Police Department jumped into action.

He was able to quickly guide the children to safety; however, rescuing the mother required a bit of ingenuity. Minus swift-water rescue gear, Banner used jumper cables from his patrol vehicle to function as a tether to bring mom to safer ground. The family was safe and uninjured.

To avoid future conundrums and increase officer safety, Police Chief Christopher Cook has since mandated all patrol units carry professional water rescue throw bags.