An emotional reunion unfolded as an 8-year-old boy came face-to-face once again with the Suffolk County police officers who saved his life after he plunged into a frozen pond on Christmas Day.
The child, identified only as Tayvion at his family’s request, was honored alongside Officers Andrew Tirelli, James Rizzo, and Sgt. Michael Santillo, during a ceremony held to recognize their courage and quick action.
Tayvion, a third grader from Patchogue, greeted the officers with hugs and a heartfelt “Thank you,” smiling as he stood beside the men who pulled him from the life-threatening situation, according to the New York Post.
RELATED STORIES
On Christmas afternoon, Tayvion had been playing outside his apartment complex when he attempted to cross a partially frozen pond as a shortcut back home.
The ice beneath him suddenly gave way, sending him into the frigid water. Clinging desperately to the edge of melting ice, Tayvion screamed for help as bystanders gathered nearby. Someone quickly called 911 just after 1 p.m., prompting officers to rush to the scene.
Officers Tirelli and Rizzo were the first to arrive and immediately tried to rescue the child using a rope and a life preserver.
However, Tayvion was unable to hold on long enough to be pulled to safety. As the minutes passed and the freezing water took its toll, the situation grew increasingly dire.
“We got you, bud. What’s your name?” Suffolk County Police Officer James Rizzo said in the video.
The reason Officers James Rizzo and Andrew Tirelli kept asking him for his name is important.
“If he’s able to talk, you know he could kind of think things out a little more than rush and break all the ice, and then he falls through,” Rizzo explained.
Recognizing the urgency, Sgt. Santillo made a split-second decision to take a more direct approach. He carefully bear-crawled across the cracking ice toward the terrified child. Moments later, the ice gave way beneath Santillo as well, but he was able to stand in the shallow pond. Using his strength, he lifted Tayvion and carried him back to shore with his bare hands.
As Santillo raised him out of the water, body camera footage captured the child shouting “Freedom!” — a moment that would later be shared by police and quickly resonate with viewers.
During the ceremony, Suffolk County officials praised the officers’ bravery and dedication. Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina reminded residents that while many families were celebrating at home on Christmas Day, officers were on duty protecting the community.
“While many were home enjoying Christmas, our officers were away from theirs, on patrol, ensuring the safety of residents,” Catalina said. He also noted the importance of safety awareness during the winter months.
“This story has a happy ending, far too often the ending can be very different,” Catalina added, urging residents to avoid frozen ponds and choose designated ice rinks instead.
Tayvion echoed that warning with enthusiasm, delivering a message of his own as cameras rolled.
“Don’t walk on the ice!” the young survivor yelled to the crowd — a powerful reminder born from a Christmas Day he will never forget.
“That’s just the personality that police officers have,” Santillo told ABC7, even while being honored for their heroism. “You don’t think, you act. You go in and do the rescue. You go in the burning building… you get in the water and try to help people.”
“That’s just the personality that police officers have. You don’t think, you act. You go in and do the rescue. You go in the burning building… you get in the water and try to help people,” Santillo added.
READ ALSO: Hero firefighter interrupts day off to rescue family in garage fire
