Rescuing two young sisters from a potential drowning earned School Resource Officer Jeff DeGennaro the Officer of the Month award in August from Ford of Murfreesboro.

SRO DeGennaro was off duty at his subdivision swimming pool when he saw the two sisters estimated to be 3 and 5 struggle to swim and quickly sink to the bottom of the pool, said SRO Capt. Barry Hendrixson.

The SRO jumped in fully clothed and rescued the two sisters from the bottom of the pool, Hendrixson said.

"DeGennaro told me, 'I thanked God I was in the right place and observant at that exact moment,'" Hendrixson said.

General Manager Jason Borowski of Ford of Murfreesboro presented DeGennaro with an engraved watch for being Officer of the Month.

"Ford of Murfreesboro is proud to honor Officer DeGennaro and his act of service to our community," Borowski said. "These men and women selflessly serve Rutherford County every day, and we are grateful for them."

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said DeGennaro was alert and saw the sisters when they struggled to swim and sank.

"Without hesitation, SRO DeGennaro saved the sisters fighting for their lives," Fitzhugh said. "He prevented a tragedy by responding and safely returning the sisters to their mother. As a father and grandfather, I am proud he saved these young girls."