Off-duty officer becomes hero

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - A Portsmouth police officer is being hailed a hero after he jumped into the Elizabeth River to save a woman who tried to take her own life. It happened Monday night along the waterfront on High Street in Portsmouth.

Officer Sean Lewis had just gotten off of work and was jogging along the waterfront.

"As I was approaching I saw two legs go over the railing and a big splash in the water," said Officer Lewis. "Once I saw that big splash I saw a young lady in the water screaming."

The jog became a life saving sprint. "There was no time to think, so I just had to do what I had to do," added Officer Lewis.

When Officer Lewis saw the woman, his first thought was to grab a ladder and climb down to the water. But even on the bottom step and even with an out stretched arm, he still couldn't get to the woman. That's when he knew he had to jump in.

Swimming past the jellyfish, Officer Lewis, along with another man got to the woman.

"Once she got calm she started to float on her own and we just scooted her up," said Officer Lewis.

They held onto a concrete ledge and waited for help to arrive. "She didn't say anything," added the officer. "It was like she was in shock. I couldn't even get a name out of her."

The woman was taken to Maryview Medical Center. Police believe she was trying to kill herself.

"I wasn't expecting this," said Officer Lewis. "I was expecting a good run, to get nice and sweaty and go home, but this I didn't see coming in a million years," added Officer Lewis. "I would do it again in a heartbeat."