Police officers commended for harrowing water rescue

Written by Greenwich Post Staff
Saturday, 14 January 2012 10:00

Police Chief James Heavey has named Sgt. James Bonney, Marine Officer Josh Repik and Marine Officer Francesco DiPietro Officers of the Month for November 2011 for their efforts in a harrowing water rescue last year.

On the morning of Oct. 13, the Rye Police Department contacted the Greenwich Police Department requesting mutual aid assistance. Rye police reported that three fishermen were stranded on a rock in a rising tide approximately 50 yards off the shore. A stiff wind was blowing and four- to eight-foot swells were crashing over the rock where the fishermen were stranded, according to police records.

Sgt. James Bonney, Marine Officer Josh Repik and Marine Officer Francesco DiPietro responded by boat. Rye Police Marine Officer Michael Kelly, who reportedly knew well the underwater rock field where the fishermen were stranded, assisted in the rescue.

Marine Officer Repik manned the helm in the rough seas as Marine Officers DiPietro and Kenny assisted Sgt. Bonney, who donned a dry suit and entered the water in an eight-foot plastic dingy.

Sgt Bonney was able to row up to the three stranded fishermen and give them all life jackets. None of the fisherman reportedly spoke English and were unable to communicate with the Sgt. Bonney as he attempted to give them instructions.

Police said the two male fishermen, fearing for their lives and not understanding the instructions given,  physically tossed the third female fishermen into the dingy. When she landed in the boat, it caused it to capsize throwing Sgt. Bonney and the woman into water. She was rescued by Sgt. Bonney, placed in the now swamped dinghy, and then the half swamped boat was physically pulled back to the larger marine vessel.

The Chief of the Rye Police Department as well as the Rye Police Commissioner, who were on shore observing the operation, determined that it was too dangerous to attempt to rescue the remaining two fishermen with the boat. The Westchester County Helicopter was dispatched to the scene and rescued one of the remaining fishermen from the rock jetty and one from the water surrounding the rock jetty. All three subjects were checked out by Rye EMS personnel and released.

Chief Heavey commended the three officers for their valor.

“This is clear demonstration how effective training, professionalism, and cooperation makes a difference in public safety,” he said. “The selfless actions of our officers and those from Rye bring great credit to themselves and the police profession.”

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites