Weatherford officer, family of three honored for Lake Weatherford rescue

Source: Weatherford Democrat (Sally Sexton) · Published 2026-06-24

Weatherford Police Chief Jason Hayes presented commendations Tuesday to Officer Cody Adkins (the Chief's Commendation) and to Andrew, Mallory and Ayla Pritchett (Citizenship Awards). The honors stemmed from a March incident at Lake Weatherford, when three people became stranded about 300 yards from shore in a sinking inflatable raft. Hayes said the three had been in the water nearly an hour and were exhausted; none were wearing life jackets and water temperatures were in the 50s. Andrew Pritchett heard cries for help, gathered his personal kayaks and launched toward the victims; his wife, Mallory, joined with her kayak, and the two reached the trio, stabilized them and kept them afloat while their daughter, Ayla, assisted from shore with life preservers and directions for first responders. Adkins arrived and used Mallory's kayak to paddle more than 100 yards out, helping bring all three back to shore safely. Source: Weatherford Democrat (Sally Sexton) · Published 2026-06-24

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