A police officer in West Long Branch, New Jersey, is being praised for his heroic actions after rescuing an 11-year-old boy who had fallen through the ice of Franklin Lake on February 3, 2025.
The boy, whose identity has not been disclosed, was attempting to cross the lake on foot when the ice cracked beneath him, causing him to plunge into the freezing water.
According to a Facebook post from the West Long Branch Police, the incident occurred at approximately 2:41 p.m. The boy, trying to get home faster, found himself stranded in about 6 feet of water.
Although he could stand, the icy water quickly drained his strength, leaving him in peril.
Local authorities said that the temperature was a chilly 49°F, and the lake had been covered in about 4 inches of ice due to recent cold weather, though warmer temperatures had caused some melting.
Patrolman Dave Brosonski, the first officer to arrive on the scene, found the boy about 75 yards from the shore. Brosonski, an instructor at the Monmouth County Police Academy for water rescue, wasted no time in rushing to help.
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“The only thing going through my mind was, ‘I’m going to get to this kid, give him the help he needed, and bring him back in,'” Brosonski said during a press conference.
With the help of a nearby resident, who provided a rope for safety, Brosonski carefully made his way across the ice, gradually pulling the boy toward safety.
Bodycam footage captured Brosonski’s steady movements as he worked to rescue the child, who, after being pulled from the water, estimated that he had been submerged for about five minutes.
He could be heard in the video expressing concern, saying he didn’t want to get in trouble.
“You’re not in trouble; we’re here to help you,” an officer reassured the boy.
Though the child appeared uninjured, he was taken to a local hospital for precautionary measures. Authorities later confirmed that the boy was fine after the frightening ordeal
