DeRiggi-Whitton Honors Boys For Saving a Friend

Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton recently presented citations to two young heroes, Peter Liotta, Jr. and Daniel Roper. The 11-year-olds were with a friend and his father on a small motorboat. Their friend was swimming when his father saw him struggling with the strong current. His father jumped in to help, but also began struggling with the waves and current.

Peter and Daniel jumped into action, casting a life ring out to their friend. Because the boys’ fathers have been volunteer firefighters for decades, they knew to call the Coast Guard immediately to help save their friend’s father. Nearby, the Lemonda family saw the struggling man and pulled him into their boat.

“Robert Roper and I have been volunteer firefighters for decades,” Peter Liotta, Sr. said. “With all the bad things we see and that are going on these days, it’s so heartwarming when great things like this happen. We’re all very proud of Peter and Daniel.” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton agrees wholeheartedly and commends Peter and Daniel for their quick actions that saved their friend’s life.

(Pictured in photo, from left) Peter Liotta, Sr., Peter Liotta, Jr., Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton, Daniel Roper and his family, Deana, Diana and Robert Roper during a presentation ceremony where the boys received citations for their bravery.