Harry 0. Shiffer, 62, deputy commissioner, saved Geraldine Daniels, 12, from drowning, Palmetto, Florida, August 23, 1968. When Geraldine, her younger brother, and another boy entered the Manatee River to retrieve a beach ball, they were caught by the current and carried away from the bank and downstream. Shiffer undressed to his undershorts, entered the water, and swam toward the other boy, who sank and drowned. Geraldine called for help, and Shiffer swam to her. He reached her 6 feet from the bank in water 10 feet deep. She grasped him, and they were submerged briefly. Geraldine struggled with Shiffer, and they were submerged briefly again. Shiffer then towed Geraldine to one of the bridge pilings. Geraldine climbed onto his back, and Shiffer clung to the piling with both arms. He was very tired by the time a boat arrived and took them to the bank. Meanwhile Geraldine’s brother had been saved by his father.
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