Florida Deputies Stage a Buck‑Rescue Drama Inside a Bathroom and Then a Pool

It’s not every day that a police dispatcher gets a call about a deer stuck in a bathroom. Yet that’s exactly what happened in St. Johns County, Florida, when a large buck somehow wandered into a family’s home and then—oddly enough—found its way into an in‑ground swimming pool.

Deputy Mike Hernandez, the first officer on scene, described the moment on his body‑camera as a “true deer‑in‑the‑headlights” situation. “Oh, that’s a buck. That’s a nice buck,” he laughed, his voice mixing surprise with the kind of calm that only years on the force can teach.

The homeowner, equally bewildered, tried to guide the nervous animal toward the exit. Together they shuffled furniture, carving a narrow corridor that led to a sliding glass door. The buck, clearly uneasy, hesitated. When gentle coaxing didn’t work, Hernandez fetched an extendable pool brush from the backyard, using the soft bristles to nudge the animal forward. Slowly, the deer slipped through the door and onto the patio.

But the adventure wasn’t over. Instead of bolting, the buck hopped straight into the yard’s swimming pool. A few seconds of bewildered paddling later, it emerged, only to turn around and plunge back in—perhaps testing the water or simply panicking.

After another brief dip, the animal found a path out of the pool, sprinted across the grass, vaulted a low fence, and vanished into the surrounding woods. “First time I’ve had a deer in a house in 23 years of my profession,” Hernandez chuckled, the humor obvious even as he reflected on the unusual call.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office posted the entire rescue on social media, captioning it “a buck‑wild call for service.” The post added a light‑hearted note: “The buck fled before deputies could issue a warning for trespassing.” The video quickly went viral, reminding viewers that wildlife can sometimes end up in the most unexpected places—and that a little creativity (and a pool brush) can go a long way.