LI Officers Recognized For Rescuing Passengers From Burning Car

DEER PARK, NY —Four Suffolk County officers were recently honored for their life-saving actions.

First Precinct officers Shawn Arigoni, Michael Rena Thomas Engelhardt and Ryan Carroll recently received the Town of Babylon Heroism Awards for their heroic actions during an August traffic incident in Deer Park.

They were honored by Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, Councilman and Public Safety Chairman Terence McSweeney, the Babylon Town Board, and Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 18, First Precinct officers Shawn Arigoni and Michael Rena attempted to pull over a vehicle they spotted speeding and swerving near Route 231 and Commack Road. The vehicle fled and lost control further down the road, crashing into a tree, overturning and bursting into flames.

Arigoni and Renna, along with officers Thomas Engelhardt and Ryan Carroll, also of the First Precinct, were able to quickly pull three passengers from the vehicle to safety. The officers then were able to extract the driver, whose legs were pinned by the steering wheel.

“It is hard to overstate the bravery and dedication to public service displayed by these officers,” said Councilman McSweeney. “They sprang into action within seconds putting themselves in harm’s way, saving not one but four lives. On behalf of the Babylon Town Board, it is an honor to present these officers with the town’s heroism award, which is the highest honor we can give.”