A lifeguard who was fired for leaving his assigned post to rescue a swimmer will be rewarded for his bravery Monday.
The city of Hallandale Beach will give Tomas Lopez, 21, a key to the city.
"I'm very honored about that, actually," Lopez said. "It is quite an honor to receive a key to the city."
Lopez was fired last Monday for not following the policy of the private company that employs lifeguards on Hallandale Beach. He saved a swimmer in distress outside his designated area.
"I'm proud of my decision," Lopez said. "We knew about this rule when it was said, and I told myself when we heard it, that if it does come to this, that I will do what I was trained to do and be a lifeguard."
Three other lifeguards were fired, and several others quit in protest.
