Lynbrook police, Valley Stream firefighters rescue teen girl from Hendrickson Park Pond

Diving into Hendrickson Park Pond, Lynbrook Police Department officer Christopher Lopez rescued a teenage girl on Sept 26.

Lopez and fellow Lynbrook officer Joshua Crowley were monitoring Lynbrook’s radio and neighboring areas received notice of a missing child in the area when on patrol from Nassau Police Department’s Fifth Precinct.

Responding quickly, the officers arrived on the scene and found the missing teen in the Valley Stream pond and unwilling to get out. Lopez, along with two Valley Stream firefighters — Ex-captains William Grace and Andrew Mihalick — dove in and swam to the girl and brought the teen to shore. She was not identified. Nassau police were on the scene as well.

“I’m just thankful the kid is safe,” Crowley said.

Lopez distinguished himself earlier this year by apprehending a suspect wielding a firearm, according to a May 4 post on the Lynbrook department’s Instagram page.

“Those two are exemplary cops,” Lynbrook Police Chief Brian Paladino said. “They went above and beyond, but that’s what I expect of them.”

The child was taken to a local hospital for evaluation by police ambulance and released later that Friday night. Valley Stream Assistant Chief Michael Colucci oversaw the rescue.

“We have a very good relationship with Lynbrook P.D., so we’re glad they helped,” Colucci said. “Valley Stream has a lot of water. Our guys are well trained for anything that could come.”

He had advice for the untrained.

“Water is no joke,” Colucci said, “better to stand back and observe.”

For those community members who have that urge to help, he them to look into joining their local first responder volunteer organizations.