Rio Grande City honors sergeant who rescued two people from the Rio Grande after smuggling pursuit

Rio Grande City commissioners on April 10 honored Sergeant Epifanio Perez of the Rio Grande City Police Department after a high-speed pursuit ended near the Rio Grande and two people being smuggled into the United States entered the river and faced life‑threatening conditions.

Mayor Falcone told the commission that Perez “launched himself into the river and successfully rescued both individuals, ultimately saving their lives,” and presented him with an award of valor on behalf of the city. Chief Joey Solis joined the recognition.

The commission said the pursuit involved a driver transporting undocumented aliens who fled toward the river. Perez described the rescue to the commission: “Once we got close to the female, we were able to grab the female, escorted out.” He said he then swam to a second submerged person, held on to a stump while treading water, and brought the individual to Border Patrol and DPS officers who arrived on scene.

Perez told the commission that he and other officers had participated in a three‑day training covering river rescue operations with neighboring agencies, including Riverside Police Department and Riverside City Fire Department. Mayor Falcone and Chief Solis emphasized that the rescue illustrated the value of interagency training and preparedness.

An award of valor presented to Perez was dated 04/10/2025 and cited “braving the river’s current to rescue another life and facing an unsafe situation and significant risk to his own personal safety.” Mayor Falcone and Chief Solis thanked Perez and other agencies for the coordinated response.

The commission’s recognition closed a morning agenda segment on public safety before the body proceeded with its scheduled business.