Police Officer Who Pulled Teen From Ice Honored

PARKER, Colo. (CBS4)- The Parker police officer, who was first on the scene at the pond in Parker where three teens had fallen into the icy water earlier this month, was honored on Thursday along with other first responders.

"I truly don't think that I'm a hero," said Parker Police Patrolman Trey Biles.

Three boys went into the water Jan. 14 while playing on a frozen pond not far from their school.

Biles was the first to arrive after the call. He was told that three had fallen through the ice but he could only see one. Biles reached out to Cole Robinson with a stick.

"He tried to grab it but he was so cold he had no dexterity in his hands and he ended up grabbing it with his forearms," said Biles.

He managed to pull him out but as the rescue crews, including a dive team, arrived two other boys remained in the murky, frigid water.

"I just kept asking him where they were and he kept repeating to me that they were gone. 'They're gone. They've been in the water too long, they're gone,'" said Biles.

Patrick Lantz was stuck in the pond for 35 minutes. He died a short time after he was pulled from the water. Max Gantnier was rushed to the hospital where he died 11 days later. All three boys were sophomores at Legend High School.

At the news conference on Thursday, Biles was honored and thanks were given to other first responders who participated in the rescue.

"You know your heart is broken for not being able to help the other two," said Biles.

The Parker Police Department has equipped its patrol cars with ropes in hopes they won't need them.