The story of Pensacola Police Officer Anthony Georgio’s heroic actions – this month’s guest speaker!

He Was There for A Reason

“I suddenly heard the screams, the desperate screams of desperate people.  Without saying a word, I handed everything in my hand to my mother, turned and shot off in a dead sprint to the water’s edge, about 300 feet away.”

“As I reached the water, I dove in.” Anthony said. “Then, to reach the victims as soon as possible, I decided to swim under water. That way I wouldn’t have to fight the constant waves coming against me.” The drowning victims weren’t close – they were about fifty yards into the gulf.

The first person he reached looked to be about 12 years old. He was flailing and struggling to get air. Anthony grabbed him and took him to shore, handing him off to one of the many people willing to help. Then he returned and rescued another victim and brought him back to shore.

Four more people! “I knew I was tired, but I couldn’t NOT go back in. I didn’t see my actions as heroic – it was just what I had to do. It wasn’t my job as a cop. It needed doing and I couldn’t imagine not going in. For the first time in my life,” Anthony said, “I felt that I might not make it.”

Then a surge came over him. Instead of pushing the group from behind, Anthony grabbed the ring from the front and began pulling it. He also spoke calming words to those who were panicking. “We are going to make it,” he said, even though he wasn’t sure of his own words.

After what seemed like an eternity, the group finally swam close enough that they felt sand beneath their feet. A score of people were waiting desperately to help them to shore. Anthony ran to the boy that was in the worst shape – the first one he had rescued. He was having trouble breathing, so Anthony began lifesaving measures.

Within seconds, the fire department and an ambulance arrived and took over treating those involved. They checked on Anthony also. “Are you okay?” they asked him. At first he thought, what a silly question…of course I’m okay! Then he realized that it was God’s grace that he was okay.

In total, there were 3800 comments, 20,000 shares and 54,000 likes on the Pensacola Police Facebook page. But two comments stood out among the others:

“I am the mother of one of the children and the aunt of the others. I’m soaked in tears trying to comment to this post. Words cannot describe how thankful and grateful we are for Officer Giorgio and all the selfless people who put their lives on the line to lives will go on, but I promise we will never forget how you’ve made a difference in our lives. We will now be able to celebrate my niece’s birthday and attend my nephew’s graduation next week.”

Thank you, Officer Anthony Georgio!!

Also BM2 Reece Raxter, PR1 Joey Charles, Miranda Varela, Erica Shelley, Melissa Brown, Stacey Gilreath and all others on the beach whose names I missed that helped or tried to help our kids that day.  We are so THANKFUL for each and every one of you.

These kids mean the world to us, and we will never forget the rescue and how you all have given them back their future – Linh Nguyen

Thank you, Officer Giorgio for saving my wife. This was about to be the worst day of my life. Thank you for changing that – Ed Varela

On May 30, Chad Wilhite gathered all of the victims and rescuers for a reunion at the police station. In a much better situation, the players in the near-disaster spoke, hugged, cried and laughed together…something that they wouldn’t have been able to do if not for Anthony’s heroics.

Second, at school one day, one of his students came up to him and thanked him for saving his cousins. Anthony couldn’t hold back the tears. That conversation made it all worth it.

On August 4, 2021, Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall had the honor of awarding Anthony with the 11th Gold Medal of Valor in the history of the Pensacola Police Department.

In the interview with the author, Anthony maintains that the medal belongs to everyone – the TEAM – that helped that day.

Whatever the case, one thing is obvious…Anthony Giorgio is a hero.

Join us at 6:00 PM on Monday, August 18, at the Pensacola Police Department Headquarters, 711 N. Hayne Street for the monthly meeting of the Historic Society.