Mohave deputies awarded for bravery in rescue of Lake Havasu boaters

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Two Mohave County Sheriff's deputies were awarded Medals of Valor by the Arizona Sheriff's Association for rescuing people from Lake Havasu during last year's Desert Storm boating event.

Deputies Charles Trescher and David Dotson responded to multiple distress calls as an unexpected storm with 50-mph winds and hail created 6-to-10-foot waves on the lake, causing several boats to sink in the North Basin.

"It just took over," Deputy Trescher said. "I would definitely say it was a miracle, by the grace of God, that we were able to do what we did."

Trescher said when they got to the area, San Bernardino Sheriff County Sheriff's deputies and an officer boat from Lake Havasu City were on scene trying to get closer.

The deputies located two men without life jackets struggling in the turbulent waters after San Bernardino deputies had rescued two women.

One man was clinging to a seat cushion when Deputy Dotson threw him a rescue rope.

Helping the second man was a bigger challenge, since the deputies did not want to hit the person with their boat.

"I was trying to get it close enough that Deputy Dodson could throw the throw rope to him and try to get him to grab on to it," Trescher explained. "While doing this, I observed this individual to have a nylon yellow rope around his neck, and it appeared to be wrapped around his neck."

During the rescue attempt, a wave pitched the boat sideways, throwing Deputy Trescher into the water with his gear.

"It was just one of those things that 'no' wasn't an answer," Trescher said of the rescue effort. "It's not an option. He's coming home today."

Despite the challenging conditions, both deputies successfully completed the rescue.

"You can't train for situations like that," Dotson said. "You have countless hours of training, but you can't recreate those types of waves, that type of situation."

The deputies maintained their focus was simply on doing their job.

"We had a call for service, and that's what we did. We made sure that everybody came back," said Dotson.

For Trescher, the most important outcome was enabling "that young man to go home to his mom and to be okay."

The two deputies stressed the importance of staying vigilant and having life jackets readily available.