Jorge Grajeda was enjoying a relaxing day with family and friends at the pool when things suddenly took an alarming turn.

As Jorge’s wife Marllin walked their youngest child to the bathroom, Marllin heard another woman ask about a boy who was face down in the water, not moving. When the boy failed to respond, the woman immediately yelled for her husband to pull the boy from the pool, and Marllin rushed to get Jorge.

Jorge, who had recently retired from the Long Beach Police Department, ran to the boy and immediately began administering CPR. The boy, who is named Jared, was limp and purple and had no pulse. While onlookers called 9-1-1, Jorge continued to apply CPR for several minutes and directed others to make sure the gates to the area were unlocked so the paramedics could get in.

Shortly before EMS arrived, Jared’s pulse returned. EMS rushed the boy to the hospital, and thanks to Jorge and the man who pulled the boy from the pool, Jared made a full recovery.

For these efforts, Jorge recently received an American Red Cross Lifesaving Award at a Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon board meeting. The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to someone who uses their training to save the life of another. Jorge, who now lives in Meridian, was also recognized by the City of Irvine in California for his heroics.

Marllin nominated her husband for the Red Cross award.

“He’s an amazing man who never hesitates to help others,” she said.

In fact, this is actually the second time Jorge has been recognized by the Red Cross for helping save a life.

In 2022, Jorge was at his father-in-law’s California home when he noticed thick black smoke billowing from a neighbor’s house. Without hesitation, Jorge rushed into the elderly woman’s home and found her laying in bed unaware of the fire around here. The local fire department arrived soon after and helped Jorge escort the woman to safety.

For that lifesaving effort, the Los Angeles Red Cross region presented Jorge with a Red Cross Hometown Hero Award.

Jorge said the poolside incident was the first-time he’s put his CPR training into practice but was glad he knew what to do when the time came.

GET TRAINED

Be ready to respond calmly and confidently when emergencies happen by getting trained. Red Cross offers a wide range of health and safety classes from CPR and first aid to swimming safety and babysitting training. Learn more and sign up for a class today at redcross.org/takeaclass.