The incident began on a Wednesday afternoon when an older gentleman was blowing leaves on the roof of his three‑story home. While he was brushing off debris, he lost his footing and slipped right off the edge.
According to video taken from a body camera, the man was able to grab onto the roof tiles and hold on until officers arrived. When he saw police scaling the roof, he let out a sigh of relief. “I got you, sir,” one of the officers said as they approached.
“I’m glad somebody’s got me,” the elderly man replied.
Officers Jason Sikoski and Kaleb Girard of the Tampa Police Department hurried to the scene. They clambered up to the top floor through a window and found the man hanging by his legs. The men each grabbed one of his wrists and carefully hauled him back onto solid ground.
After the rescue they took a brief pause; the man, a little embarrassed, offered a heartfelt apology. “I didn’t mean to cause all this,” he told the officers. Girard reassured him, “It’s not your fault, that’s what we’re here for.” The man praised their speed, “You got here very quickly.” Girard nodded, “That’s what we try to do, yes sir,” and the man echoed his gratitude again, “Well, you do a very good job.”
Later, the Tampa Fire Rescue squad helped lower the gentleman safely to the yard. The police department posted a thank‑you on Facebook: “We’re grateful for their quick response, and for a community that trusts us to be there when it matters most!” Many viewers on social media expressed sympathy, suggesting the man might have thought he still had the energy to “do silly things” like climbing his own roof.
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