VIDEO: Senator Moody Praises Florida Deputy Who Rescued Three Young Girls from Powerful Rip Current

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Ashley Moody took to the Senate Floor recently to praise a Florida sheriff's deputy with a Florida's Finest Award for rescuing three young girls. While patrolling a beach on Florida's Gulf Coast earlier in May, Lee County Sheriff's Deputy Raymond Tellez Ferriol responded to calls that three teen girls were caught in a rip current and immediately jumped into action to bring them back safely to shore.

"A fun day at the beach almost turned tragic, but thanks to Deputy Raymond Tellez Ferriol's courage and quick thinking, three young girls made it home safely to their families. It was an honor to recognize his brave actions on the Senate Floor and present him with a Florida's Finest Award," said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

• When Dep. Tellez Ferriol saw the girls struggling in the water, yards from the shore, he immediately grabbed flotation devices and swam towards the youth, bringing them back to safety. Learn more here.
• Rip currents can be deadly, even for experienced swimmers. Since the start of 2026, Florida has seen eight confirmed cases of rip current deaths, the youngest of which was only 17.
• Beachgoers should be aware of water conditions, the presence or absence of a lifeguard, and swim with a partner to help stay safe. If caught in a rip current, don't panic-do not fight the current, swim parallel to the shoreline until out of the current and then swim to shore. If you feel you can't reach shore, face towards the shoreline and call or wave for help.
• Senator Moody's Florida's Finest Award is presented to law enforcement officers or Floridians who go above and beyond to save lives.

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