Officers Rescue Man After Kayak Overturns

Suffolk County Police officers rescued a man after his kayak overturned in Lake Ronkonkoma Saturday morning.

Fourth Precinct Police Officers responded to a 911 call regarding an overturned kayak in Lake Ronkonkoma at 11:08 a.m. Fourth Precinct Police Officers Kevin Wustenhoff and Richard Regula responded, grabbed their life rings from their police vehicles and swam out to the kayaker, Eric Jerome, 56, of Ronkonkoma. Emergency Service Section Officer James Brucculeri and a lifeguard from the Town of Islip also responded and swam out to Jerome, who was approximately 300 yards off shore and unable to free his foot from the kayak. Emergency Service Section Officer Michael Viruet assisted from the shore.

Jerome was brought back to shore and evaluated by the Ronkonkoma Fire Department and declined further medical treatment.

SCPD photo