In the heart of Florida, where the wild meets the residential, an unexpected visitor made a splash in a quiet St. Augustine neighborhood. The visitor wasn’t a neighbor or a lost dog — it was an alligator, comfortably lounging in a family’s backyard swimming pool.
While this may sound like a scene from a movie, for one seasoned sheriff’s deputy, it was just another call of duty. Deputy Nathan Richardson of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office showed what true Florida grit looks like when he wrestled the gator from the pool with nothing but his bare hands and an old-fashioned pool skimmer.
Deputy Richardson’s brave act didn’t just capture the alligator — it captured the hearts of Floridians and viewers across the nation. This unique incident, which occurred on July 25, is a testament not only to the courage and quick thinking of the deputy but also to the curious and sometimes dangerous intersections between human life and Florida’s vibrant wildlife.
With the situation documented on bodycam footage and shared widely, Richardson’s calm and experienced handling of the wild animal left many praising him as the embodiment of “Florida grown at its finest.”
An Uninvited Guest Makes a Splash
On that ordinary summer day, the residents of a St. Augustine home found themselves facing a most extraordinary problem: an alligator had somehow made its way into their backyard pool. Such incidents, while not an everyday occurrence, are not entirely unheard of in Florida — a state well-known for its dense alligator population. When the family spotted the uninvited swimmer, they did what any concerned citizen would do: they called the local authorities.
That’s when Deputy Nathan Richardson arrived on the scene. Rather than waiting for animal control, Richardson sprang into action, using a pool skimmer as his first tool to gently guide the reptile toward the edge of the pool. His movements were calm, deliberate, and precise. The gator, understandably agitated, began thrashing in the water. But Richardson didn’t back away. As the gator approached the edge, he reached in and grabbed it by the neck with his bare hands.
What followed was a tense few seconds as the gator slipped free and made a mad dash across the deck, perhaps realizing its relaxing spa day was coming to a quick end. But Richardson was quicker. He caught the gator again, skillfully pinning it down while offering calming reassurances. “I gotcha. You’re fine,” he told the hissing creature. “I know. You’re super mad.”
Florida deputy removes small alligator from a pool with his bare hands. pic.twitter.com/4rdHJlwsV4
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 4, 2025
Witnesses looked on in amazement. One person joked, “Obviously, you grew up here,” a comment that was later confirmed to be quite accurate — Richardson is a Florida native, no stranger to the wildlife that coexists with people in the Sunshine State.
As he held the gator firmly by the neck and tail, onlookers expressed their admiration with shouts of, “You go,” and, “Wow.” The bodycam footage, later released by the sheriff’s office, perfectly captured the mixture of fear, respect, and admiration present in the moment.
From Backyard Pool to Patrol Car
With the gator subdued and securely in his grasp, Richardson moved to the next phase of his mission: safely removing the animal from the property. In an almost surreal twist, he walked the gator to his patrol vehicle, still holding it with one hand on its neck and the other gripping its tail. The unusual sight of a deputy carrying an alligator across a backyard as casually as one might carry a large dog drew chuckles and cheers from the residents.
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Then came the part that truly cemented Richardson’s actions as the stuff of local legend — he buckled the alligator into the back seat of his patrol car. Yes, in a moment of equal parts humor and genuine precaution, the deputy strapped in his scaly passenger to ensure a secure and safe ride. This gesture, while amusing, also showcased Richardson’s professional concern for both public safety and the well-being of the animal.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that the gator was not taken to the station for questioning, but was instead safely relocated to a nearby pond where it could return to its natural habitat. The department shared the rescue on social media, adding a light-hearted note: “The alligator wasn’t happy its pool time was over, or about the ride in the patrol car, but it was buckled in and safely relocated to a nearby pond by Deputy Richardson.”
Despite the humor, the situation was handled with the utmost care and professionalism. Richardson’s actions prevented any harm to residents, pets, or the gator itself. This wasn’t his first gator encounter, according to the sheriff’s office, although they weren’t sure just how many gators he had caught over the years. His calm demeanor and efficient handling suggest it certainly wasn’t his first rodeo.
Florida’s Ongoing Dance with Wildlife
Florida is a state like no other. Its vast wetlands, warm climate, and ever-expanding human population make it a prime environment for interactions between people and wildlife. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has long warned about the potential risks that come with such proximity. Alligators, once endangered, have made a remarkable recovery — and they’re now thriving in lakes, canals, rivers, and, as this incident shows, sometimes even backyard swimming pools.
According to the FWC, Florida’s explosive population growth has led to increased development of waterfront properties and a rise in recreational water activities. This has naturally led to more frequent encounters with native species like alligators. While most of these reptiles tend to avoid humans, curiosity or hunger can sometimes bring them into contact with residential areas — especially when people unintentionally leave out food or make it easy for animals to access water sources.
The agency advises people never to feed alligators. Doing so not only puts people at risk but also teaches the animals to associate humans with food, increasing the likelihood of future dangerous interactions. Residents are also urged to keep pets on a leash and away from bodies of water, and to swim only in designated areas during daylight hours.
Despite these precautions, encounters do happen, which is why the role of local law enforcement officers like Deputy Richardson is so critical. Trained, calm, and brave, Richardson embodies what it means to protect and serve — not just people, but the delicate balance between humans and nature in Florida.
His successful handling of the situation also serves as an important reminder: coexistence with nature is not just about awe and appreciation, but also about responsibility and preparedness. Richardson’s actions could have saved the gator from being harmed — or harming someone else — all while giving the community a story they won’t soon forget.
Deputy Nathan Richardson’s remarkable alligator rescue is more than just a viral video or a feel-good story — it’s a shining example of Florida law enforcement rising to the occasion in the most Floridian way possible. Armed with nothing but a pool skimmer, a firm grip, and a calm voice, he reminded everyone watching what courage, experience, and quick thinking look like in action.
His heroic and humorous effort ended safely for everyone involved — including the grumpy gator — and has since become a symbol of community strength and regional resilience. In a state where nature is as bold and unpredictable as its weather, people like Richardson help ensure that wild encounters don’t turn into wild disasters.
“Florida grown at its finest,” someone said as the alligator was led away. And they were right.