WHITE PLAINS, NY (May 17, 2026) — The Westchester County Police Department honored multiple Emergency Service Unit officers for their actions during two separate rescue and apprehension operations involving a suspect in Sprain Lake and a man threatening to jump from the Bear Mountain Bridge.
According to the department, one operation began Dec. 10, 2025, after a police pursuit and collision involving a Westchester County Police marked unit. Police said the operator of the fleeing vehicle jumped into the freezing waters of Sprain Lake “in an effort to elude capture.”
The department said ESU Officers Vincent Finnegan and Andrew Artemou responded to the scene under the supervision of Sgt. Moreira and entered the partially frozen water wearing ice rescue suits.
Police said the suspect continued across Sprain Lake toward the golf course before becoming “fatigued and hypothermic.”
According to the department, ESU officers entered the water from the Sprain Golf Course side, rescued the suspect and took him into custody.
“The readiness and quick thinking of all of the officers involved ensured the successful apprehension and lifesaving rescue operation,” the department stated.
Police Officer Andrew Artemou and Police Officer Vincent Finnegan were awarded the Commendable Police Duty Medal for their actions, according to the department.
In a separate operation on May 28, 2025, the department said ESU officers responded to the Bear Mountain Bridge after reports of a man threatening to jump from the structure.
Police said the man was standing on an outside stanchion approximately 145 feet above the Hudson River “and in danger of falling or jumping off.”
According to the department, New York State Police negotiated with the man while ESU members established a rope rescue system.
Police said ESU Officer Vincent Finnegan was lowered onto the stanchion platform and secured the man in a rescue harness before officers safely retrieved him from the bridge.
The department said Lt. Jeffrey Slotoroff commanded the operation and was assisted by Sgt. Isai Moreira, Sgt. Daniel Dumser, Police Officer Joseph Kraus, Police Officer David Byrnes and Police Officer Paul DeSousa.
Police Officer Vincent Finnegan was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, while Lt. Jeffrey Slotoroff, Sgt. Isai Moreira, Sgt. Daniel Dumser, Police Officer Joseph Kraus, Police Officer David Byrnes and Police Officer Paul DeSousa received the Commendable Police Duty Medal, according to the department.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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