"I feel like he's my hero, my guardian angel. He saved my life," said Jennifer Galarza, 19, who had just met Smith 15 minutes before he saved her.

Smith was attending a Christmas party at Galarza's home when a dog being kept by Jennifer's mother ran into the water, the Miami Herald said. Jennifer went in after the dog but became entangled in weeds.

Smith dived in to save Jennifer and got her into her father's boat but he also became caught in the weeds and went under. He never resurfsaced, police said.