LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. (CBS12) — A routine day turned into a life-saving mission for a South Florida deputy when a grandmother and her 2-year-old granddaughter were trapped after their car plunged into a canal.

The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) said the crash occurred on March 20, shortly before 6 p.m., when the vehicle plunged into a canal outside a Walmart at 3001 N. State Road 7.

Deputy Alencar, who had just completed a work detail at the location, was the first to respond to the emergency call, according to the sheriff's office.

"I rushed over there and spotted the vehicle and upon approaching the vehicle, I saw a lady and a baby on the back seat of the vehicle, and the vehicle was sinking. I knew I didn’t have much time, so I needed to act," Deputy Alencar said.

BSO said Audrey Villieres, the grandmother, had moved to the backseat with her granddaughter, Ameika Brown, as the car rapidly sank.

Video captures the moment Deputy Alencar jumped into the canal, using a window plunger to break the car window and retrieve the child.

"When I held the baby, it was hard to swim because I couldn’t touch the bottom. So, I held the baby above my head, I went down in the water and took a couple of steps and was able to swim back to shore," Deputy Alencar said.

Once the child was taken to safety, the sheriff's office said the deputy rushed back to the sinking car to get Villieres.

"I went back, was able to pry the door open, and retrieve the lady from inside and swim her back to shore," Deputy Alencar said.

Both Villieres and her granddaughter were assisted by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and were in good condition despite the ordeal. Investigators suspect a possible vehicle malfunction caused the accident.

Deputy Alencar was treated at a local hospital for ingesting canal water and minor cuts, but the sheriff's office said his concern for the child's well-being lingered. "I remember when I got out of the water and was walking to my car. I remember asking for the baby. ‘How’s the baby? How’s the baby?’ I was concerned," he said.

See also: WATCH: Deputy reunites with grandmother, toddler he rescued from sinking car in canal

Two weeks later, on April 3, Deputy Alencar was reunited with the family he saved. Villieres expressed her gratitude toward the man, saying, "I felt so happy when I saw him coming towards me. I had the baby in my hands, and he broke the glass, and I gave him the baby."

Sheree Linton, the child's mother, recalled her panic upon learning of the incident.

"I had a panic attack, I couldn’t breathe, so I stopped the car for a little bit. Then I catch myself, and I drove here to the Walmart," she said.

Linton was relieved to find her mother and daughter safe, crediting Deputy Alencar's presence at the scene.

"I was so happy that he was working at the Walmart that day, at that time, because if he wasn’t working there, I don’t know what would have happened," she said.

The family expressed their gratitude for Deputy Alencar's bravery and compassion.

"He was off duty, his job or not, he still did it. He was off duty. He did this out of the kindness in his heart and that shows how brave and compassionate he is," said Dabria Moulton, the child's sister.

Deputy Alencar reflected on his actions, saying, "Before being a deputy, I am a father, so when I do anything for the community, I always picture doing something for my family." Linton added, "I thank God for him. He was in the right place at the right time."

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