Off duty Heflin Officer credited with saving family on gulf coast

Officer Scott Winslett

A Heflin police officer is being praised for what he did hundreds of miles away.  Heflin Police officer Scott Winslett is on vacation in Pensacola but on Monday, he jumped into action when he saw a group of beach goers in trouble while in the water.  Scott Winslett said he was standing near the shoreline with his kids when he heard a mother cry for help.

She said her two girls couldn't swim and were caught in the rough waters.

Winslett said The rip current had actually taken them a good distance away from the shore.

He said he swam out and brought one of the two girls to shore. The mom had also gone out to save one of her children and she could not swim.

Winslett said he was fortunately able to pull the mom and daughter to safety while His wife called 9-1-1 from the shore.