Deputy Wrangles Alligator from St. Augustine Pool

On July 25, 2025, a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to an unusual call in St. Augustine, Florida, where a 3 to 4-foot alligator had taken up residence in a family’s backyard pool. The incident, captured on bodycam footage that later went viral, showcased Deputy Richardson’s calm and skillful handling of the unexpected visitor. The video shows the deputy initially attempting to coax the alligator out of the water with a pool skimmer before resorting to his bare hands. As the feisty reptile thrashed and hissed, Deputy Richardson spoke to it in a soothing tone, saying, “I know you’re mad, I know,” while securing its jaws. The homeowners, impressed by his composure, remarked, “Obviously you grew up here,” and called the scene “Florida grown at its finest.” With Florida’s estimated 1.3 million alligators across all 67 counties, such encounters are not uncommon, especially during mating season, which runs from April to June, with increased activity continuing into July. The alligator, clearly unimpressed with its eviction, was safely wrangled, buckled into the deputy’s patrol car, and relocated to a nearby pond far from residential areas, ensuring no harm to the animal or the community.