An off-duty firefighter and a police officer being praised for their roles in a water rescue late Thursday at a Massachusetts lake. Police officers responded to East Monponsett Lake after calls for help were heard offshore.”I was able to reach in and grab her by her shirt and keep her afloat until firefighter Stratton arrived off-duty,” Officer Michael Boncariewski of the Halifax Police Department said.”We made the decision that we couldn’t tow her in with the kayak, so I had to physically get in the water to bring her back in,” said firefighter Jen Stratton of the Duxbury Fire Department. “Stratton sprang into action, kayaking out and jumping into the water to help pull the victim to shore,” Duxbury fire Chief Robert Reardon wrote. “Her willingness to step forward and assist in a dangerous situation demonstrates the courage, professionalism and commitment to service that define the fire service.”The woman rescued was flown by helicopter to a Boston area hospital, where she is listed in critical condition.

Source