Deputy Rescues Wheelchair-Bound Man from Shark-Infested Florida Waters

A routine fishing trip turned into a near-disaster for Bill Von Herbulis, a 72-year-old man who uses a wheelchair, when he fell into the shark-inhabited waters of a marina in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Volusia County Sheriff's Office Sergeant William Leven is credited with saving Von Herbulis's life on September 27.

Von Herbulis was navigating his electric wheelchair along a narrow private dock near Ponce de Leon Inlet, a location known for its shark activity, when his gear-laden wagon caused his wheelchair to jackknife. He tumbled into the water, losing his cellphone in the process. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. as dusk settled, a time when the dock was unusually deserted.

Despite the fall and the presence of sharks, Von Herbulis managed to stay calm. He swam to the surface and was able to grasp an electrical conduit pipe to keep himself afloat. He began calling for help, but it was an angler who had just arrived at the dock who heard his cries and anonymously called 911. The angler, unable to reach Von Herbulis due to a locked gate, reported a "possible drowning."

Responding to the call around 9 p.m., Sergeant Leven and his partner, Deputy Boris Rodriguez, found Von Herbulis struggling to stay above water. Bodycam footage captured Leven quickly shedding his duty belt and entering the water, equipped with a sheriff's office buoy. He navigated the treacherous dock pilings, encrusted with sharp oyster shells and barnacles, to reach Von Herbulis. Leven also managed to secure Von Herbulis's floating bag of belongings.

With assistance from bystanders, deputies helped Von Herbulis, who has been unable to walk since a neck injury 19 years ago, out of the water and back onto the dock. He declined medical attention and was able to return home in his wheelchair. Leven is expected to receive a Lifesaving Award for his actions.

New Smyrna Beach is located in an area that experiences a high frequency of shark encounters. According to Tracking Sharks, there have been 44 reported shark bites globally in 2026 as of September, with 13 occurring in the United States. Florida leads the nation in shark encounters. Experts advise swimmers to avoid dawn and dusk, swim with a buddy, steer clear of fishing areas, and avoid excessive splashing to reduce the risk of shark bites. Despite the known dangers, Von Herbulis, who has fallen into the water twice before, expressed little concern, joking about his narrow escape and stating, "But they didn't want me."