Oakland police officer, sergeant lauded for rescuing potentially drowning man in Estuary channel

"Our mission was to get him out of the water alive. Failure was not an option," said Sgt. Frank Negrete, emphasizing the urgency of the rescue effort.

"I had to do whatever I could to save him," recalled Officer Jessica Menezes, illustrating her determination despite having no prior experience in water rescues.

Chief of Police Floyd Mitchell praised the rescue team, stating, "The heroic and outstanding efforts of Officer Jessica Menezes and Sgt. Frank Negrete is a story I love to tell about..."

Negrete noted, "If you are wearing clothes and are not a proficient swimmer, it's hard to get out of that kind of situation," reflecting the dangers of the rescue.

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