I Still Cannot Believe This Story

Lynch said that Zack's state of mind was unknown. Witnesses on the scene reported talking to Zack, who implied he was ok and did not want assistance. Lynch said that the operation was a rescue, and while there have been times over the years when officers have gone into the water, the police department has never had land-water rescue capability.

However, AFD Interim Chief Mike D'Orazi said that, due to the suicide, the area was a crime scene, and thus under APD's jurisdiction.

AFD command staff requested additional resources from the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies. The Coast Guard dispatched a 25-foot propeller-driven rescue vessel and a helicopter. But Zack stood in water too shallow for the boat to reach. The helicopter was involved in another mission and had to return to Air Station San Francisco to refuel.

Before the chopper arrived, Zack lost consciousness and began to drift toward shore.

Due to a policy created in 2009, because AFD is not certified in land-based water rescues, no firefighter may enter the water, according to D'Orazi. However, none of the other agencies on-scene, including the Alameda County Fire Department, Oakland Fire Department, Alameda County Sheriff, Oakland Police or East Bay Regional Park Police District, were able to provide additional rescue capabilities.

The 2009 AFD policy is now changed. Entering the water will now be a decision left to the commander on scene, D'Orazi said.