by Salman J. Choudhury
New York | October 26, 2025: Two retired New York City Police Department officers turned into real-life heroes on Sunday after saving a 30-year-old woman and her 5-month-old baby from what could have been a heartbreaking tragedy in the East River.
The Scene
The dramatic incident unfolded around noon at Hermon MacNeil Park in the College Point area of Queens. Retired NYPD officers Kevin O’Donnell and Paul Pinsdorf were volunteering at a local Halloween parade when they suddenly heard screams from the riverbank.
Someone shouted: “You guys gotta get over there! A woman’s walking into the water with a baby!”
The Rescue
According to O’Donnell, the woman was wading deeper into the river while clutching her baby. Within moments, the water had reached her chest, and the baby’s head was nearly underwater.
Without hesitation, Paul Pinsdorf jumped into the river. Despite the woman’s resistance, he managed to grab both the woman and her baby and bring them safely to shore. Meanwhile, O’Donnell called 911 and coordinated the rescue from the riverbank.
Emergency responders soon arrived. The woman was transported to North Shore University Hospital, and the baby was taken to New York–Presbyterian Hospital for evaluation and care.
Investigation
The NYPD has launched an investigation to determine the woman’s identity, her relationship to the child, and what may have driven her to enter the river. Authorities noted that language barriers complicated the initial rescue efforts.
Acts of Courage
Though off duty and retired, both officers’ quick thinking and courage saved two lives that day. Their selfless actions serve as a powerful reminder that true service and humanity don’t end with retirement or uniforms.
As one witness put it: “They didn’t think twice. They just ran and saved a life.”
This act of bravery stands as a beacon of hope — proof that compassion, vigilance, and duty to humanity still flow strongly through the hearts of those who once wore the badge.
