Daniel Abbotts clung to a metal fence as floodwaters created by Monday's massive rainfall in Apache Junction moved swiftly around him.
The Apache Junction resident apparently grabbed onto the fence as he was being swept away in the moving water after getting caught in a wash behind his home near 4th Avenue and Vista.
"Thank God for that metal fence,” Abbotts can be heard saying in body camera footage that captured his rescue.
That body camera was being worn by Officer Cameron Kellogg who slid under a chainlink fence and walked through the flooded area to reach Abbotts. He found Abbott clinging to that fence.
“I swallowed a lot of water,” Abbotts said as Kellogg finally reached him.
WATCH: Body cam captures rescue of elderly man found clinging to fence in Apache Junction floodwaters
Kellogg carried Abbotts toward the front of a nearby house which was now surrounded by all the moving water. They stopped on the side of the garage as Kellogg tried to figure out the best way to get through the water. Abbottssaid he injured his ankle.
“All I want to do is get you into somewhere that’s a little safer," Kellogg said.
The two remained in that spot next to the garage for a few moments as they figured out the best way to go.
“I want to get where there's no more flowing water, once we get past these logs we’re golden,” Kellogg says.
With Kellogg behind him for support, Abbotts stepped up toward the front of the house. He took a minute to catch his breath and sat on what appears to be a jet ski trailer.
“I don’t know if I want you sitting on this though because if this goes you go,” Kellogg tells Abbotts. “Let's try to get a little more strength and once we get over we’re good.”
Kellogg and another man eventually helped Abbotts into calmer waters where another officer arrived to assist with the rescue. The two officers carried Abbotts out of the water to safety.
"I was thirsty, but not anymore," Abbotts said. The two officers laughed.
Abbotts and his wife Karen told 12 News that they were trying to get a package box that was swept away by the water when they were both pulled under.
The couple was in ankle-deep water grabbing the box when a big rush of water went up over "like a waterfall" and swept them both under.
Luckily, a neighbor saw the whole ordeal, called 911 and was eventually able to rescue Karen.
Abbotts was eventually rescued by Kellogg, who credited the man for saving his own life.
"He did all the work, I just helped him get out, that's all," Kellogg said.
"That's why most of us grow up wanting to be cops, for stuff like that, situations like that."
Abbotts is OK, but he does have a cast on his leg. He told 12 News that he was able to be in a good headspace during a terrifying ordeal.
"I'm one of those people when something like this happens, I'm calm. About a week later, I'll think about it...but while it's going on, you ain't got time to worry about it, just do what you gotta do," Abbotts said.
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