By Helen Borland / Staff

It's not often that your day off turns into a life-saving event.

Two off-duty Roswell police officers, John Lathem and David Farabaugh, risked their own lives to save the life of a drowning man while bystanders just stood on the shore and watched.

At about 7:00 at night on June 13, 2009, a call for help from the Roswell Police Department went out. Lathem was working an off-duty job at the time and was close to the area. He contacted the Roswell Communications Center and told them he was on his way. Farabaugh -- who was also off duty but nearby -- heard the call and responded immediately. Lathem arrived at the water's edge behind the Park Ridge Apartments just minutes before Farabaugh was on the scene. Lathem crawled onto some fallen trees to get to the man and then promptly held his mouth and nose above water to keep him from drowning. Then Farabaugh scrambled to get on the lake's fallen debris to assist with the life saving mission until more help could arrive.

FIRE GUYS COME TO THE?RESCUE, TOO

Fortunately, it's not just the "men in blue" who are trained and willing to do what it takes to save a life. Captain Chris Mathis from the Roswell Fire Department heard the call and responded, too, even though he was off-duty. He arrived with a rope and threw it to the two off duty cops from the bank. With Mathis help, Lathem and Farabaugh were able to secure the man, Raul Vasquez, and help the fireman pull him to shore. Vasquez was taken to North Fulton Medical Center.

For their acts of heroism, Lathem, Farabaugh and Mathis were honored by their peers with a coveted "Life Saving Award." Mathis was also presented with a Department Letter of Recommendation at the March 1 Mayor and City Council Meeting.