By Emily Neubauer
Bradley, WI (WAOW/CNN) - Police say a heroic action turned to tragedy in Wisconsin.
Investigators say a man died after trying to help his daughter, who was struggling to swim in water that was about 10 feet deep.
A Merrill family has lost its father and husband, a difficult situation for everyone involved.
"Whenever we have a tragic event I think they all stick with us to some degree or another, certainly not something that we can walk away from and say it was another call," said Lt. Tim Fischer with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's deputies say 42-year-old Xavier Patton from Merrill died Wednesday afternoon. He was swimming with family members at Pine Cone Ranch Resort in the town of Bradley.
"Daughter appeared to be having some troubles, he was trying to help her, as that was going on, he started to flail in the water," said Fischer.
That's when officers say a family member pulled Patton out of the water and started performing CPR.
Patton was taken to the hospital where he died.
But what caused Patton to go under water? Officers say they don't know and hope an autopsy will shed some light.
"Anybody that tries to help somebody in a tragic situation is absolutely a hero, the family member that went to try and help Xavier was a hero, unfortunately this had a tragic ending," said Fischer.
Authorities say the daughter Patton was trying to help was not hurt.
WAOW/CNN