Vermont trooper who saved 8-year-old girl from icy pond in 2023 honored for heroism
A Vermont State Police trooper who plunged into an icy pond in Cambridge to save an 8-year-old girl in 2023 has been once again recognized for her heroism that day.
Vermont State Police Trooper Michelle Archer has received a Carnegie Medal for Heroism, one of 17 people in the U.S. and Canada who 'risked death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.'
Archer was patrolling in Cambridge on December 17 when two children fell through thin ice into a private pond off of Eastview Road. The landowner rescued one child. When Archer arrived, she grabbed a life preserver from her cruiser, dove into the pond and rescued the eight-year-old girl from the icy water.
VSP trooper credited with saving life of 8-year-old girl in Cambridge
'When I jumped into that frozen pond, the only thing I was thinking about was reaching that little girl and trying to save her life,' Archer said.
'You don't get into the profession of policing for accolades; you do it because you believe in serving your community and keeping people safe. As humbling as all the awards and attention are that followed what I did that day, nothing can overshadow the biggest reward of all: The little girl survived and fully recovered.'
Last year, Archer received a Vermont State Police Lifesaving Award, among other honors. She was named a finalist for International Association of Chiefs of Police / Motorola Solutions Trooper of the Year.
Vermont trooper involved in July 2024 shootout in Burke nominated for Trooper of the Year award
''This recognition, coupled with numerous others that members of the state police have received in recent weeks and months, reflects so highly on each and every person who works for this agency,' said Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police. 'Vermonters have much to be proud of when it comes to the state police, from these high-profile awards to the unsung, everyday acts of selflessness, bravery and heroism that people rarely hear about.'
More information about the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and the 17 newest recipients is available on the fund's website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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