RedactedNarrative: INCIDENT DESCRIPTION
  On 12/02/2017 at 16:22 hours I was on patrol at Rush Creek in Perry County with Officer. While on boat patrol we noticed a car parked near the shore where cars are not permitted to park. At the same time Officer spotted a canoe about 200 yards away on the water. At that time I also noticed the canoe. It was unclear to me at the time if the vessel was a canoe. The canoe was sitting very low in the water and from a distance it looked like a raft. It was at that time I could see that there were three people on the canoe. It was also clear that the canoe was in some kind of distress. It also appeared to be stuck on a stump. At that time we witnessed the canoe almost capsize. 
  After witnessing the above information we operated our vessel to the canoe and asked if they were okay. I then saw that all three subjects were wet and there was a large amount water in the canoe. Operator 1 was sitting in the far back seat of the canoe advised that they had flipped the canoe and they were having problems getting in. I asked them if they had Life Vest and they advised that they did not. I asked if they had vest before the canoe tipped and they advised they did not.
   The subjects ask for our help but once we tried to assist they advised they were fine and they could paddle to their car. The subjects attempted to paddle to their car and continued to rock and operate in a circle. It was very clear that the subjects were cold and would not make it to their car without assistance. We then pulled our boat next to the canoe. I then took a rope and ran it under the middle seat and back up to our boat where I could stop the canoe from tipping. Officer then slowly towing the canoe to shore. 
  Once on shore the subjects were identified. I then asked Operator of vessel 1, to unlock his vehicle, get his friends in the car, and turn on the heat, Operator then said, “No”. I then asked him to do it again and he said, “I’m good”. I could see that the operator of said vessel was not thinking reasonably. All the subjects were shaking, had problems completing simple task, and were slurring their speech. I also noticed the subjects had problems walking. During this time I communicated with dispatch and advised them to send a medic. 
   I explained to the operator that I smelled beer and that I knew he had been drinking. The Operator advised that he had a small amount to drink. The operator was ordered to get in the car and informed that I was not going to charge him with OVI and that I only cared for everyone’s safety. The Operator advised he did not plan to drive his car and he didn’t want to get in trouble. The Operator then followed my directions. I then told the subjects that it may helpful to take their cold coats off and shoes off. They proceeded to take some of their wet clothes off. I also provided them with a blanket from our boat. 
  Officer then took the boat back to the patrol truck and responded by land with our patrol vehicle.
  While waiting for the medic the subjects advised they took a six pack of beer on the water and that is what they drank. The Operator appeared to be getting better but all the subjects were shaking uncontrollably. All subjects advised they were in the water for approximately hour. 
  While talking to the subjects I noticed Occupant 1, was in the back of the car starting to fall asleep. I yelled at occupant 1 to wake up and he responded, “I am only taking a cat nap”. I explained to the subjects that they needed to stay awake and this was a sign of Hypothermia.
  When the medic arrived I was struggling to keep Occupant 1 awake. All subjects were then placed in separate medic. 
  The Operator provided me with a number for his wife. I then called her and advised her of the situation. The Operator wife advised that she was coming  and we would talk when she got there because she did not wish to sign for the subject. 
  I then talked to Officer. I explained that I could not see blood shot or glassy eyes on the subjects. I also explained that the indicators of impairment that I was witnessing were also the indicators of hypothermia. I also advised I could not articulate the difference at that time. 
  While taking care of phone calls Officer advised me that occupant 1, was causing a problem form the medics. I was informed that the Chief that was on scene felt that all three subjects needed transported; however they were not cooperating.  I then spoke to Occupant 1, at that time I could see he had blood shot eyes. Occupant 1, did not appear to be making sound decisions. Occupant 1, even mentioned that he was once shot in the head. I explained to Occupant 1, that if he could not provide for his own safety I would take him to jail for not having a life vest and possibly for disorderly conduct, and incapacitated operator . I also explained that he could be arrested for the Life Vest violation that was a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. I explained that he could not drive because he had been drinking and if he went back out in the cold his body tempter would drop again and I would have to call the medic back out. I also explained I had a duty to act and see that he was safe. I also explained that because he did not have a ride and could not provide for his own safety I would have to take him to jail and I would first have to take him to the hospital to be checked out. I explained to Occupant 1,  that if he went with the medic he was providing for his own safety and that he would only get a summons. Occupant 1, then advised the medic that he would go to the hospital with them. 
  Officer then had a citation in her hand behind me. I then told Officer that I was not worried about issuing the citation at this time and that our priority was seeing the subjects got checked out and provided for their own safety. 
  I then explained the same information to the Operator and Occupant #2. Both subjects advised that they would be going with the medics to be treated. Operator was also advised that his wife was in rout to get the car but it was also unclear if she was an option for his own safety because she appeared to be coming for the car. All three subjects were then transported by ems to Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio. 
  After all three subjects were transported I spoke with the Operators wife. The Operator's wife advised she knew that her husband was drunk and that I could put that in my statement. She also said that the Operator is an alcoholic and that he just got his driver’s license back.  The Operator was upset that I did not charge the subjects with any additional charges. I explained that I could not prove what was causing the signs of impairment. When I explained that all three subjects were transported she laughed. I continued to explain that I felt that they were hypothermic and that they were lucky to be alive. 
  
  The Operators wife then arrived to retrieve the car, she was very upset. The Operators wife asked me to search the car so she knew there was not marijuana or other illegal items in the car. During the search a backpack was found with several bottles of alcohol in it. The bag also had wet items that were now trash (from the water) and a small bag of what appeared to be seeds. The Operators wife advised she did not want the bag in the car and asked us to take it. The bag was then collected as evidence. The Operators wife was unable to get the vehicle moved because she did not have a key. The Operators wife advised that she would get it later in the evening and that request was granted. 
  Officer and I then responded to Fairfield Medical Center. Upon arriving to the hospital we met all three subjects walking out of the hospital. Upon approaching them the Operator thanked us for , “getting them warm”. I then issued them citations for not having life vest. All subjects were given a court date and advised that the court time was at 9am.