HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla., July 7 (UPI) -- A lifeguard fired for saving a drowning man outside his employer's area of responsibility will be honored by the city of Hallandale Beach, Fla., the mayor says.
Tomas Lopez, 21, of Davie was turfed this week after he left his post on the beach to rescue a swimmer in distress outside the coverage area Jeff Ellis Management of Orlando had contracted with the city of Hallandale Beach to monitor. Company officials said they took the action because Lopez had put other swimmers in jeopardy and the company could have been sued.
Mayor Joy Cooper told the South Florida Sun Sentinel Friday she was angered by the company's decision to fire Lopez.
"I know people across the country are as outraged as I am," Cooper said. "This doesn't reflect our culture. We are a small, caring community."
The mayor said the city intends to give Lopez a symbolic key to the city at a ceremony Monday.
While company officials have now apologized to the lifeguard and offered him his job back, Lopez has said no thanks and city officials are pondering the possibility of ending the beach-guarding arrangement with Jeff Ellis Management, whose contract expires in September, the Sun Sentinel said.
Company President Jeff Ellis could not be reached for comments Friday, the newspaper said. Ellis said previously he intended to update city officials on an investigation into the incident.
