MELBOURNE, Florida — The Melbourne Police Marine Unit, with the assistance of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, was called upon today to rescue a sea turtle in distress.
At around 9:00AM, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit responded to a call of a possible swimmer in distress in the Indian River Lagoon.
Upon arrival, Sheriff’s helicopter personnel determined it was not a swimmer that needed help, but it was a large sea turtle. The Melbourne Police Marine Unit was then called upon to help aid the turtle.
Melbourne Police Officers Kevin Palmeri and Amy Perez, along with Sgt. Byron Keck of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, took the Melbourne Police boat north of the Eau Gallie Causeway to the location of the turtle. Once located, officers noticed that the turtle was bobbing in the water and having a difficult time submerging itself.
The Sea Turtle Preservation Society was contacted and the situation was explained to them. The Preservation Society informed the officers that the turtle needed medical attention and it could die if it was not rescued. It was at this time that the three officers pulled the estimated 200 pound loggerhead turtle up onto the boat and brought it to shore.
Once on shore, Sea Turtle Preservation Society personnel took custody of the loggerhead sea turtle. Officers were informed that the turtle would be brought to Sea World in Orlando, Florida for rehabilitation.