Lynbrook police, Valley Stream firefighters rescue child from Hendrickson park pond

Diving into Arthur J. Hendrickson Park’s Valley Stream Pond, Lynbrook Police Department officer Christopher Lopez rescued a child from neck-deep waters in Valley Stream 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 child in neck-deep lake waters and unwilling to leave. Lopez, along with two Valley Stream firefighters, dove in and swam to the child and brought the child, who was not identified, to shore. Nassau police were on the scene as well.  

“We commend Officer Lopez for his quick thinking and bravery,” the LPD said in a statement. “His dedication and courage truly exemplify what it means to serve and protect our community.”

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.

The child was taken to a local hospital for evaluation by police ambulance. Valley Stream Assistant Chief Michael Colucci oversaw the rescue.