Lifeguard Fired for Saving a Drowning Man

Tomas Lopez Was Doing His Job -- Saving Lives -- It Was Just Out of Bounds

It's hard to write this recout of what went down in Hallendale, Fla. recently without shaking my head.

A lifeguard, Tomas Lopez, noticed that a man was struggling to stay afloat, dove into the ocean, saved him and then lost his job.

Wait. WHAT? How is this possible?

According to the company Lopez worked for, Jeff Ellis and Associates, the drowning man had been outside the parameters that Lopez is responsible for and therefore, he violated his contract by saving the swimmer.

What was he supposed to do? Sit by and let the guy drown just because he wasn't within a certain, flagged in area?

Locals are up in arms over this and a few other lifeguards have quit their jobs as a sign of solidarity with Lopez. No word yet from Jeff Ellis and Assoc. on what they have to say about this sad, sad story.

So much for breeding/encouraging heros.  Boo.