Mud Rescue At Flint Pond Nets 4 Police Worcester DA Award

SHREWSBURY, MA — The Worcester County DA on Wednesday recognized four Shrewsbury police officers for their work freeing a local man who got stuck in a muddy pond on a chilly February day.

Shrewsbury police responded to Flint Pond south of Lake Quinsigamond just before noon on Feb. 13 after a 911 call reporting a man stuck in the shallow waters.

Justin Schmautz, 24, of Shrewsbury, was at the pond that day with his girlfriend racing remote-controlled boats. One of the boats got stuck in the mud, and Schmautz walked out to retrieve it.

It only took a few minutes for Schmautz to start sinking, the DA's office said. He eventually sank down to his shoulders, and began to get cold.

Officer Alex Desimone was the first to arrive, and attempted to use a device called a ResQ Disc to reach Schmautz. After Schmautz caught the disc, Desimone stood in the shallow water as an anchor as officers Dillon Zona, Tyler Vlass and Sgt. Mark Sklut pulled Schmautz ashore.

"I cannot thank them enough. I was so scared. I was so cold. I was in shock at how
quickly they got me out," Schmautz said at a news conference Wednesday. "They are the dream team. I am so thankful for them."

The four officers will share Worcester DA Joseph Early's TEAM Award, which Early gives out periodically to police, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders in Worecster County.