The Columbus Dispatch reports that Christopher Jones surprised Columbus officer James Poole when he tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he remembered him.
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The idea for a reunion came when Jones saw a picture of Poole on the Columbus police department’s Facebook page. In it, Officer Poole was attending a back-to-school gathering at a South Side church.
When he shook his head, Jones said: ‘About 1997, you pulled a 5-year-old out of a swimming pool, saved his life’.
Poole’s fellow officers conspired to make the reunion possible, with Jones telling Poole, “Because of you, I’m still here”.
“About 1997, you pulled a 5-year-old out of a swimming pool, saved his life”, Jones said.
At the reunion, Poole met Jones’ young daughter.
Poole was told he was having a meeting with the media about his role as a community liaison officer.
They even invited Officer Poole’s son, who is a brand-new Columbus police officer, to attend the very emotional – and lovely – reunion.
“Nineteen years, I’ve been waiting for this moment”, said Jones.
Although all of the details of the incident are unclear, what is known is that Jones’ heart stopped beating after he had been in the water for almost 20 minutes. Because of you, this 5-year-old little girl right here is here’.
“Because of you, I’m still here”, Jones told him.
Poole, 43, immediately stood up and wrapped his arms around the now 24-year-old man that he had saved.
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Poole said he was “just doing his job”.
