Police ID Father Who Drowned Trying To Save Child

MATTITUCK, NY — The July 4th holiday ended in tragedy for one father who drowned trying to save his child in the water at Breakwater Beach in Mattituck Inlet.

Police have identified him as Leonel Ortiz Lemus, 41, of Central Islip.

The call came in around 3:04 p.m., sending Southold Town Police, the Mattituck and Southold fire departments, dive teams and Suffolk County Aviation to the harrowing scene on Naugles Drive.

According to Southold Town Police Sgt. William Brewer, the father had difficulty once in the water trying to save his child, who was in distress. The child, who was believed to be under 10 years old, was saved and was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center, Brewer said, but sadly, the father lost his life.

Southold Police responded to a report of possible drowning in Mattituck Inlet, police said. Family members said that he had entered the water to assist children who had gone in too deep and he slipped into deeper water, police said.

Police divers and divers from Mattituck and Southold Fire Departments searched the area.

At 4:20 p.m., police divers recovered Lemus' body, police said. He was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center by Mattituck Rescue.

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.