When your day job involves dazzling crowds with jump rope tricks, heroism may not be on your bingo card.
But for David Fisher and his son, Felix, a trusty Double Dutch rope became a rescue tool. The Indiana duo recently spun their skills into a lifesaving triumph, earning citywide applause after pulling a teenager and his dog from an icy pond.
David, a three-time world record holder in seated jump roping and author of children’s books about a rope-skipping hero, never imagined his niche talent would turn him into a real-life guardian angel. “I have three world records for jumping while seated on the ground,” David said. “It’s a very interactive, visually entertaining jump rope show.” But in December, his fictional stories took a backseat to reality.
David Fisher and his jump ropes. Photo by WRTV
The drama unfolded when a neighbor’s dog bolted onto a frozen pond to chase geese, plunging into the frigid water. A quick-thinking 18-year-old raced to save the pup but soon found himself trapped alongside his pet. “A neighbor’s dog went onto the ice pond to chase the geese, and the dog is in the water,” David said. Hearing frantic cries, Felix alerted his father, and the pair sprinted toward the chaos, ropes in hand.
Channeling his years of agility, David lunged into action. “I just instinctively went right for my bag of jump ropes and pulled out the double Dutch ropes,” David said. “I headed out on the ice pond, and as I started to go out there, I could hear the ice cracking underneath my feet.”
When I finally did arrive, I slung the rope to him, and he grabbed one handle, and bit by bit, we pulled him out of the ice pond.”
Westfield Mayor Scott Willis lauded the father-son duo’s bravery, declaring their actions a testament to community spirit. “I’ve always known that Westfield is filled with brave, kind-hearted people, but what David and Felix did is absolutely remarkable,” Willis said. “Their courageous actions are the definition of what it looks like to care for your neighbor. We are proud to honor them with this well-deserved award.”
The local council honored David Fisher and his son, Felix, for saving a teen and his dog using David’s jump ropes. Photo by City of Westfield
Fire Chief Rob Gaylor echoed the sentiment, praising their swift resolve. “Stories like these don’t always have a positive outcome,” he said. “My department and I are extremely grateful to David and Felix for their quick-thinking and selfless actions that day.”
Though hailed as heroes, David shrugged off the spotlight, insisting he simply did what anyone should. “We’re all part of a community,” he said. “I would hope that when cries go out, everybody could do whatever it is that they might be able to do to help the situation.”
Willis summed it up best: “He understands what it means to put the needs of others ahead of your own.” For David, it’s just another spin in the rope — proof that even the quirkiest skills can save the day.
