What Happened: New York Officer Honored for Midnight Water Rescue

A New York State Trooper was honored last week for heroic actions he took during a midnight water rescue.

Even when their shift ends, first responders are never truly "off duty", as Trooper Ryan Boline proved when he responded to a call near Preble, NY.

Recognition for Off-Duty State Trooper After Water Rescue

"Off-duty on May 17, 2024, around midnight, Trooper Ryan Boline received a call from the Preble Fire Chief—two people were stranded in the dark on Tully Lake, without lifejackets and in distress", began a recent press release from the New York State Police (NYSP).

Off-Duty Trooper Conducts Water Rescue in Upstate New York

Even though Trooper Boline was off-duty, his specialized skills made him a perfect candidate to respond to the call. From the NYSP:

As a member of the Underwater Recovery Team, Trooper Boline would typically respond to calls like this while on duty. But in this moment, he knew there was no time to waste.

To save time, Trooper Boline used his own boat to launch into the water, and along with two local firefighters, located the stranded party and brought them safely back to shore.

Water Rescues Across New York State

While the event occurred back in May 2024, there have been some more recent water rescues in the state as well. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) rangers recently helped a man in Oswego County, NY escape his sinking boat on the Salmon River (below).