This year, the Hanka Bożyk Foundation Chapter faced a difficult task. Police officer Staff Sergeant Jacek Taradajczyk of the Chojnów Police Station was among 10 Poles recognized for saving human life. While off duty, in July 2014 in Rokitki (near Chojnów), the police officer risked his own life to save a drowning man.
The officer was staying at a holiday resort with his wife. It was a day off work (Sunday), and the lakeside was crowded, with several hundred people. A dozen or so people were also swimming or “splashing around” in the water. It was a typical sight on a warm summer day.
Suddenly, Jacek Taradajczyk noticed a hand holding glasses sticking out of the water several dozen meters from the lakeshore and, at the same time, heard a woman’s terrified cry: “What’s happening?” A moment later, the hand disappeared beneath the water. After a quick consultation with his wife, Taradajczyk jumped into the lake and swam toward the person who was probably drowning. Meanwhile, the other bathers began leaving the lake. Only his wife swam after him. When he reached the scene, he dove and, at a depth of 2–3 meters, saw a man’s body slowly sinking. He grabbed him around the waist and pulled him to the surface of the lake. The man showed no signs of life and was blue. The shore was not close, and the water at that point was approximately 10 meters
deep. Jacek Taradajczyk’s wife began helping him, but they still encountered difficulties towing the limp man to shore. They began shouting and calling for help. Unfortunately, no one was willing to assist. Only at the final stage did two boys jump into the water, and together they pulled the drowning man onto the shore. The procedures they applied restored the man’s breathing, and after some time he regained consciousness. It turned out that the man could not swim. While walking along the lakebed, he suddenly lost the bottom and began to drown.
Staff Sergeant Jacek Taradajczyk has worked in the police force for fifteen years.
KWP Wrocław/Hanka Bożyk Foundation/NSZZP/ii