Officer Saves Nonverbal Girl at Beach | Tampa News

An eight-year-old girl with autism, stranded on sharp rocks at Clearwater Beach during high tide, was rescued by Officer Andrew Billups — who was later named Officer of the Year for his heroic, calm intervention. The nonverbal child, frightened of strangers but trusting in law enforcement, responded to the officer’s soothing presence. Billups credited his training for staying composed under pressure, saying moments like this are why he became a police officer. The grandmother called him a hero, and his compassionate, quick-thinking rescue turned a life-threatening situation into a triumph — earning him well-deserved recognition. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/57263ae29505918a