The South Dunedin police constable was yesterday taking a humble approach to the incident that saw him awarded a Courageous Service Award from the United Nations.
The award was presented by southern district commander Superintendent Bob Burns at the annual Dunedin-Clutha area police medal ceremony at the Dunedin Central Station.
But Senior Constable Parker was modest about the incident.
"I think they're making a bit of a big deal of this. Not one Kiwi, male or female, would have done more, or less. Most people would."
Snr Const Parker served as a police officer with the UN integrated mission in East Timor from November 2008 until April 2009.
He was awarded the commendation by mission police commissioner Luis Carrilho.
In March, he was near Suai with a UN group, waiting to cross a river that was rising rapidly.
A man who attempted to cross the river on his horse got into trouble when the horse shied and he was tipped off into rushing water.
Removing his utility belt, Snr Const Parker prepared to jump in after him.
A Timorese man rescued the horse, but the rider, who was holding on to a rope tethered to the horse, was being pulled underwater.
Snr Const Parker waded out to the man and helped him to stay above water, falling himself, but persevering while the man struggled.
He eventually dragged the man to safety at the edge of the water.
"And, poof, he ran off. I think he was pretty embarrassed about the whole thing."
Witnesses said that without Snr Const Parker's help, the man would have drowned.
The policeman said a crowd watched the rescue, but most Timorese appeared not to know how to swim.
The award described his actions as a "heroic and chivalrous act" and commended him for his "courageous and valiant accomplishment".
Supt Burns said while deployed, New Zealand police were always highly regarded for their "can-do" attitude.
"Mal not only epitomised that reputation throughout his deployment, but took it one step further in risking his own life to save another. He is a credit to the New Zealand Police and southern police in particular," Supt Burns said.
Snr Const Parker has been stationed at South Dunedin for nine years.
He was previously a member of the commercial vehicle investigation unit.
He is the first southern district officer to receive the rare UN commendation.
The award will be another certificate for Snr Const Parker's wall.
Last year, he was given a district commander's commendation for talking an offender down off a roof.
