Groveland Honors Officers For Life-Saving Johnson’s Pond Ice Rescue

Officer Daniel Richmond, left, and Detective Steven Petrone, right, stand with Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen at a ceremony thanking them for saving a woman’s life. (Photograph courtesy of Tracy Gilford.)

Two Groveland police officers were honored recently for saving the life of a woman whose car crashed through the ice at Johnson’s Pond.

Detective Steven Petrone and Officer Daniel Richmond were honored during a ceremony by the Groveland Board of Selectmen Jan. 8. Each received citations from the board and state Rep. Lenny Mirra, and a Letter of Commendation and Distinguished Service Ribbon from Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen.

“The quick and heroic actions of these two officers prevented a possible tragic outcome and I could not be more proud of them,” Gillen said. “I am honored to present them with these distinguished awards and know they will continue to go above and beyond the call of duty.”

On Dec. 16, Petrone and Richmond were dispatched to Johnson’s Pond for a reported crash. Upon arrival, they saw a car sinking approximately 30 feet from shore with a woman sitting in the driver’s seat. The officers ventured onto the thin ice. With temperatures just above 30 degrees and the water near freezing, Petrone jumped into the frigid water while Richmond maintained support on the ice.

Petrone was able to get the woman out of the vehicle through the driver’s side window and Richmond pulled her safely onto the ice. They brought her to shore and placed her into a cruiser to keep warm while awaiting further aid.

The Distinguished Service Ribbon is awarded to any active member of the police department who performs an individual act of heroism, not amounting to that required for the Medal of Valor, or individual acts of extreme high levels of service that extend over a period of time. Later this month, Petrone and Richmond are also expected to receive an additional citation from Sen. Bruce Tarr at the State House.