
Sgt. Joseph Schake was travelling south on the Silver City Highway into downtown Deming at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday when he saw three vehicles – including a tow truck – stalled in water on North Gold underneath the Interstate-10 overpass.
Deming resident Diana Holguin said the water was rising and was at her windows. She said she and her two passengers were sitting in water.
Schake grabbed tow straps from his vehicle and was able to pull all three vehicles out with his marked NMSP truck.
Schake, who is a member of the New Mexico Dive Team and has assisted in numerous rescues and recoveries from New Mexico waterways, was prepared to enter the murky water if the rescue required it.
Schake’s supervisors praised his efforts to keep Holguin and her passengers safe.
It was unclear if the tow truck and the other stalled vehicle had occupants at the time of the rescue.