Coney Island Cop Recognized For Rescuing 7 People By Boat As Sandy Hit
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - An NYPD officer who saved himself and several others in Coney Island the night superstorm Sandy hit was recognized for his actions Wednesday.
Officer Jonas Guisao, a 20-year veteran of the force, works out of the 60th Precinct station house, which was badly damaged when Sandy roared ashore.
"Waves hit the wall of your building, of your home, trapping two civilian employees," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said while honoring everyone working in the newly reopened precinct house.
Coney Island Cop Recognized For Rescuing 7 People By Boat As Sandy Hit
Guisao got a special mention for his actions on the night of Oct. 29.
"He rescued seven people using a Jon boat," said Kelly.
"It was very scary at the time, very scary," Guisao told Silverman. "I was supposed to have another officer with me deploying boats when we needed them, but the water came in so fast that I ended up being the one using the boat to rescue myself and the other people that were in the street at the time."
He handed off a couple and their baby to some firefighters, but kept going with the others in his boat.
"Maybe a block and a half, but it took almost an hour to get to safety," Guisao recounted.
He steered the boat to a synagogue, where they spent the night.
"It's the things that we live for as police officers," said Guisao. "Be a police officer and serve my public."
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