This article traces the 37 year policing career of Herman Coetzer, whose work as a police diver became a defining part of his professional identity. Beginning in 1984, he combined operational policing with specialised underwater search, rescue and recovery skills. Wondergat, a historic and challenging inland dive site, played a central role in his development and in the heritage of South African police diving. After retirement, Coetzer continued advancing his diving qualifications, contributing to both community safety and the preservation of Wondergat’s legacy.