Woman swept into California river assaults deputies trying to rescue her: authorities
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — A woman who was swept into a river in California fought with deputies who jumped into the water to rescue her, according to authorities.
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers got a call around 4:20 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, initially reporting that a child was swept down the Russian River from Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville.
At the time, the river was high due to recent rains, with rapids and debris in the water. The water was also very cold, police said.
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Sgt. Gary Lawson spotted the person in the river, struggling to stay afloat. Lawson removed his gear and went into the water. Another deputy, Anthony Powers, had a life vest in his patrol car and threw it to the sergeant so he could put it on, police said.
Lawson reached the person in the water, who turned out to be a woman. She was later identified as Lacey Mosher. According to police, Mosher began fighting Lawson and attempted to push him under the water.
The two struggled in the water with Mosher continuing to fight the sergeant as he rescued her, according to the sheriff’s office. Lawson was able to control her enough to swim across the river and grab ahold of a bush about 15 feet from shore, police said.
Another deputy, Cody McCready, found them, took off his gear, and swam over to assist. Mosher, police said, continued to fight both deputies attempting to rescue her. With deep, fast-moving water between the deputies and the shore, they were unable to swim back to land.
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Sonoma County Fire District personnel arrived in a small boat. They first rescued Mosher and then returned to rescue the deputies.
“In line with our culture of service over self, Sergeant Lawson and Deputy McCready heroically risked their lives to save someone,” Sheriff Eddie Engram said. “They exemplify what it means to be a Sonoma County deputy sheriff.”
Mosher was taken to an area hospital, where police said she continued to assault first responders and medical staff. She will be arrested on multiple charges, the sheriff’s office said.
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