by NEW YORK CITY, NY — A quick-thinking group of retired NYPD officers is being hailed as heroes after they rescued a woman carrying her 5-month-old baby who had walked into the East River in Queens on Sunday afternoon. The dramatic incident unfolded near Hermon Macneil Park in College Point, where the ex-cops were volunteering at a local Halloween parade.
The Terrifying Moment Unfolds
According to retired officer Kevin O’Donnell, who previously led the NYPD’s Community Affairs Office at the 109th Precinct, the rescue began after bystanders screamed for help.
“We heard a lot of screaming, and somebody yelled, ‘You guys gotta get over there!’” O’Donnell recalled. “She was walking straight out into the water.”
As O’Donnell turned toward the river, he saw a woman with a baby in her arms, wading deeper into the water until both were chest-deep. He immediately called 911 while fellow retired officer Paul Pinsdorf — who served over 20 years on the force — rushed into the water.
A Brave Dive into Danger
“I go, ‘Kevin, take my stuff — I gotta go in there,’” Pinsdorf said.
With little time to think, Pinsdorf dove into the East River, noticing the baby’s head was nearly submerged. Fighting the current, he reached the woman, who seemed disoriented and resisted rescue efforts.
“She resisted me, I had to go all the way out there and pull her in,” Pinsdorf said, describing the tense struggle to save both mother and child.
O’Donnell said his colleague bravely approached from behind and managed to grab the woman and her baby, both now nearly neck-deep in the cold water.
“He’s a hero — he was the one that grabbed her and pulled her out,” O’Donnell said.
Language Barriers and a Desperate Struggle
As Pinsdorf and O’Donnell tried to bring the woman ashore, the situation grew more complicated due to a language barrier. Witnesses said the woman appeared distressed and caused a commotion as she resisted assistance. Despite the chaos, the retired officers managed to keep the baby safe until emergency crews arrived.
Within minutes, EMS and NYPD first responders reached the scene. They stabilized the woman and baby before rushing them to nearby hospitals for evaluation.
The woman, believed to be around 30 years old, was taken to North Shore University Hospital, while the baby was transported to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for observation.
Questions Remain About the Incident
Authorities have not yet confirmed what led the woman to walk into the river with her infant. Police said it remains unclear whether she is the baby’s biological mother or if the act was intentional.
The NYPD’s investigation is ongoing, with officials emphasizing that both individuals are now safe and receiving care.
Community members praised the ex-officers for their selfless actions and quick response. “They didn’t hesitate — they just acted,” one local resident said. “It’s amazing to see that kind of bravery, even after retirement.”
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Honoring Everyday Heroes
While the incident could have ended in tragedy, the bravery of two retired NYPD officers turned it into a story of hope. For O’Donnell and Pinsdorf, it was simply another day of service to their community — even years after leaving the force.
“I’m happy, I did a good thing today,” Pinsdorf said modestly after the rescue.
Their quick action not only saved two lives but also reminded the city of the dedication and compassion that define New York’s finest — past and present.
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