Irvine Officers Saved Drowning Boy
A family reunited with the police officers who revived their eight-year-old son following a near-drowning incident.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Accidents
An Irvine family held a heartfelt reunion with the police officers who saved their eight-year-old son, Kingsley Setiawan, from drowning in a backyard pool. The child spent nearly 10 minutes underwater before being rescued and successfully resuscitated.
Why it matters
The survival of the child without brain damage highlights the critical role of prompt life-saving interventions by first responders. The successful outcome serves as a testament to the training and rapid response capabilities of local law enforcement.
Irvine Police Department officers Alex Mendoza and Ramon Lerma performed five minutes of CPR to restore the child's pulse. Kingsley Setiawan was subsequently hospitalized for three days before being discharged without brain damage.
The players
Alex Mendoza
He is an Irvine Police Department officer who previously received a Medal of Valor for saving two children from a burning home.
Ramon Lerma
He is an Irvine Police Department officer who assisted in the resuscitation of the drowning victim.
Kingsley Setiawan
He is an 8-year-old who survived a near-drowning incident after being submerged for nearly 10 minutes.
Erick Setiawan
He is the father who discovered his son in the pool and initiated life-saving measures.
The details
After his father, Erick Setiawan, discovered him face down in the deep end of the pool, the boy was retrieved and initial CPR was started. Officers Mendoza and Lerma, who were nearby on a security detail, arrived and continued resuscitation efforts for five minutes until a pulse was detected.
Timeline
August 1, 2026, when the drowning incident occurred.
Three days after August 1, 2026, when the child was discharged from the hospital.
September 23, 2026, the date of publication.
Legal Context
This case follows established emergency response protocols outlined by the 2024 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation guidelines. It reflects a positive outcome within the broader context of regional water safety and emergency medical service success rates.
The incident serves as a reminder for residents to maintain vigilant supervision near backyard pools. The Irvine Police Department continues to provide safety resources for the local community regarding water safety and CPR training.
The takeaway
Early intervention and continuous CPR are the most critical factors in preventing brain damage during near-drowning incidents. Parents should prioritize CPR certification to act immediately in emergency situations before help arrives.
Further reading
For additional context on local emergency responses, visit Irvine accidents.
