HEROIC RESPONSE: Deputies & first responders reunite with boy saved from drowning in Gilroy 

September 11, 2025 – Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office officials report on a heartwarming reunion took place this week at the Santa Clara County Fire Department’s Masten Station in Gilroy, where Sheriff’s deputies and fellow first responders met with 3-year-old Anthony Pettinari -- a little boy whose life was saved thanks to swift action, teamwork, and training.

On July 5, Anthony had been attending a family friend’s barbecue along Crews Road in unincorporated Gilroy when he wandered away from the gathering. Tragically, the family believes he mistook a covered, above-ground pool for a trampoline, climbed up, and fell in. Moments later, a family friend discovered him submerged at the bottom of the pool. He wasn’t breathing.

Anthony’s father, Tim Pettinari, a military veteran, immediately began CPR while another adult called 911.

“It was just absolute horror and fear,” Pettinari recalled. “The fear mainly came from the last time I did CPR it didn’t work when I was in combat…all I could think was, ‘please God, please let it work.’”

Santa Clara County 9-1-1 Communications dispatchers provided vital CPR instructions over the phone while coordinating emergency response.

The first to arrive was Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Lee, who immediately took over CPR efforts from Anthony’s father. Deputies Ignacio Gamboa and Tyler Stevenson followed close behind, bringing and preparing a defibrillator in case it was needed.

“It was a chaotic scene, but we worked through it together,” said Deputy Stevenson.

Thanks to the quick response and seamless coordination between agencies, Anthony began breathing on his own within minutes. Paramedics from County Fire, Gilroy Fire Department, and American Medical Response (AMR) provided additional medical care before rushing Anthony to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.

“I’m grateful for my training,” said Deputy Lee. “We are so fortunate to work alongside our fire and medical partners to help give Anthony a second chance.”

Body-worn camera footage captured the urgency, calm under pressure, and teamwork that saved Anthony’s life.

View video here.

FULL STORY: https://sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov/boy-saved.

Source & photo: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office