Overview
- At a Jan. 2 ceremony, Tayvion, 8, thanked Sgt. Michael Santillo and Officers James Rizzo and Andrew Tirelli, who were recognized for lifesaving actions.
- Body-camera footage shows Santillo bear-crawling across cracking ice and hauling the boy to shore after initial life ring and rope attempts failed.
- The rescue occurred on Christmas Day at the Heatherwood Lakeside Village Apartments pond in East Patchogue after a 911 call reported a child in the water just after 1 p.m.
- Police said the boy spent a short time in the hospital and returned home later that day; his family asked that his last name not be used.
- Suffolk County officials urged residents to avoid ponds during freezing conditions and to use ice rinks instead.