SRSO Deputy Rescues Swimmer

On June 30, 2007 at 2:00 PM Deputy Robert Sample, attached to the sheriff's office marine unit, was patrolling in Navarre Sound when a citizen on a jet ski came up and notified him that a man was in the water near the bridge with unknown injuries. Approximately three hundred yards west of the Navarre Beach Bridge Deputy Sample found two men struggling in the water alongside a jet ski and another vessel. Apparently a wave had knocked the man and a woman companion off the craft but only the woman was able to crawl back on. The man, identified as Navarre resident Wayne Alan McKnight, age 45, had on a life vest that was an inadequate size to keep him afloat. Also his companion stated that McKnight did not know how to swim and had become totally exhausted trying to stay afloat. To complicate the situation she stated that the jet ski lanyard was attached to McKnight's vest, which prevented her from using it to return to assist him. Two males in another boat saw what was happening and came to assist. One jumped into the water to try and save McKnight but found himself struggling to keep him afloat when Deputy Sample arrived. With great difficulty, Sample was able to pull McKnight aboard his vessel and carry him to the shore where they were met by emergency personnel. Upon examination the medics found no injuries other than the victim was suffering from severe exhaustion. Deputy Sample's quick response prevented McKnight's drowning.