Wet and wild
Polson Police Sgt. George Simpson, left, and Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Hines stand together after they jumped into Flathead Lake to apprehend a suspect on Wednesday, Aug. 1. (Photo provided)
Two law enforcement officers dove into Flathead Lake to save a suspect after he jumped in the water to flee.
According to a press release from Polson Police Sgt. George Simpson, the Polson Police Department was investigating a complaint of an intoxicated and disorderly male identified as Torrey Morigeau at the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino on U.S. Highway 93 at 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Morigeau jumped into the lake to flee officers.
Law enforcement contacted dispatch to have Lake County Search and Rescue assist.
As they were monitoring Morigeau, officers observed signs of distress and “tried to negotiate his return to the shore,” Simpson stated.
Morigeau refused to return to land, and once he was about 45 meters in the water Simpson and Lake County Deputy Brian Hines removed their duty gear, put on life vests and swam to Morigeau.
Together, Simpson and Hines brought Morigeau back to shore, arresting him on a charge of public nuisance and resisting arrest.
Morigeau was booked into the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Detention Center.
Assisting with the call were Flathead Tribal Police, Polson Ambulance, and Lake County Search and Rescue.