Sergeant Aaron Thompson is being hailed as a hero after he punched through a frozen pond on Monday evening in order to save a young boy who had fallen through the ice 30 minutes beforehand.

The 8-year-old from New Harmony, Utah had been chasing his dog when a neighbor saw him fall into the water.

With water up to his neck, the sheriff's deputy moved his arms through the water until he found the youngster drifting nearby.

The boy is currently being treated at a local hospital, and Thompson says that – because of the water's temperature, the boy's age, and the amount of time he was in the water – he feels optimistic about the 8-year-old's survival.

UPDATE: Authorities say that the boy, who has only been identified as Jason, awoke on Wednesday morning and has been coherently answering questions from medical staff.

(WATCH the deputy's interview below)

Save Your Friends From Negativity: Click To Share The News With Your Friends (Photos by the Washington County Sheriff's Office)