ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (KYW) - An Atlantic City police officer is being hailed a hero after he jumped into chilly bay waters to rescue an injured dog.

Body camera footage shows the moment when Officer Matt Schmidt made the daring decision.

“That’s pretty far,” someone is heard asking him in the video.

“I know, but what else am I supposed to do?” He responds.

Schmidt said that he knew the dog would likely tire out since it was already struggling and the current was strong.

“So, I just felt like, ‘OK, clearly a boat is not going to get here in time, so this is not a choice. I have to go if I want this dog to live,” he said.

Police drone video picked up the rescue from there.

Schmidt estimates he swam about 100 yards to get to the dog and secure a type of leash around its neck.

“Once I h

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