A West Long Branch police officer has been hailed a hero after he bravely jumped into an icy lake to rescue an 11-year-old child who had fallen through the ice. According to the West Long Branch Police Department, Patrolman Dave Brosonski, who is highly trained in water rescue, sprang into action on Monday afternoon when the child became stranded in Franklin Lake, New Jersey.
A Shortcut Gone Wrong
Authorities say the unidentified preteen had attempted to cross the frozen lake as a shortcut home when he suddenly fell through the ice. The incident occurred on a day when the National Weather Service recorded temperatures rising to 50 degrees Fahrenheit—a sharp increase from the freezing temperatures the night before.
Dramatic Rescue Caught on Body Camera
Body camera footage, shared with the media by the police department, captures the intense rescue. Before entering the icy waters, Brosonski enlisted the help of a community member to retrieve a thick rope and tie it around him for safety.
“As I was making my way to the kid in the water, I didn’t know if he could potentially go under,” Brosonski told media. “If he went under the ice, I knew I would have to go get him, so I had the rope attached so I could be pulled back out if I had to go under.”
A Humble Hero
Despite being widely praised for his actions, Brosonski downplays the attention and insists he was simply doing his job.
“I feel it was my job. I feel really more embarrassed by all the attention,” he said. “I would’ve gone in no matter what for anyone, whether I was working or not. To me, it’s just another day.”
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A Reminder of Ice Safety
Authorities are reminding residents of the dangers of walking on frozen lakes and urging parents to educate children about the risks—especially during fluctuating winter temperatures.
