Body of Detroit Firefighter Who Rescued Girls Recovered

A police dive team recovered the body of an off-duty Detroit firefighter who helped rescue three girls from drowning in the Detroit River on Friday.

Sgt. Sivad Johnson, 48, had gone missing in the river Friday after jumping in the water near the Detroit Yacht Club when he heard the girls screaming for help, The Detroit News reports. He had been walking with his 10-year-old daughter at the time.

Detroit police divers found Johnson's body at about 1 p.m. Saturday following a six-hour search. Although he was off duty at the time, the department is considering it a line-of-duty death, Deputy Fire Commissioner Dave Fornell said.

"He's a firefighter. He saw the girls in distress and jumped in," Fornell told the News. "He's done that his entire career. Something happened, and it's unfortunate to have lost one of our own that way."

A boat rescued two of the girls, and a civilian pulled the other girl out of the river. Johnson's daughter called 9-1-1 at around 9 p.m. after she realized her father was missing, and Michigan State Police believe the 26-year veteran firefighter was pulled under by a rip current.

Johnson's daughter is now with her grandfather.