In the interest of fairness, there was surely a lifering nearby: find it, throw it, and when he rejects it while the LEO boat pulls into view -- well, bye.
That lake is not a lake....kind of a shallow, blocked off small river. People do NOT swim in it. The cops did nothing wrong, but of course horrible outcome. I’d put a small inflatable in the squad cars now...couple of bucks and take up no room. I guess this is going to be a thing now with the meth heads that squat down there. Meth is a giant problem in Phx.
“...there was surely a life ring nearby...”
I’ve lived near lakes with parks all of my life and never saw a life ring. At the areas with the sandy beach swimming area sure - but not along all the trails and paths that go around the lakes.