Officer receives heroism award

Former Lyons Police Officer William Croft was honored April 10 for saving a man's life.

Pictured are Lyons Police Chief Michael R. Donalty and Officer Croft.

The honor, by the Life Saving Benevolent Association (LSBA), was bestowed in New York City. Croft was honored for his heroic efforts to save a drowning man from the Erie Canal in June 2006. He received the LSBA Bronze Medal award for his actions.

Croft has since become a member of the Newark Police Department.

The prestigious honor, awarded every year since 1850, was given to 19 emergency services personnel this year; Croft was the only recipient from upstate New York, and the remaining recipients are members of the FDNY or NYPD.

The award ceremony was held at the Seaman's Church Institute on Water Street, with the awards presented by Klaus G. Dorfi, president of the LSBA and chairman and CEO of Atlantic Mutual Companies. The award is given to recognize and reward courage in the rescue of human life at sea or on navigable waters.

Donalty said, 'Officer Croft's unselfish act is very deserving of this award, and exemplifies his commitment to the community and dedication to duty. The Lyons community was fortunate to have a police officer of Bills caliber, and our loss is Newark's gain.'

Donalty attended the ceremony in NYC, along with other ranking officers of the NYPD and FDNY.

Newark Police Chief Bogan said, 'The Newark Police Department is proud to have amongst its ranks a caring and quality officer such as Bill Croft, and this recognition is a fitting tribute to his valor.'

The rescue by Croft:

At 9:53 p.m. on June 16, 2006, Officer Croft responded to a call that a man had fallen into the Erie Canal. When he arrived, he and a fellow officer saw a body floating face down in the canal. Croft donned a life jacket, jumped 10 feet from the sea wall into the 20-foot-deep water and swam to the victim, a six-foot, four-inch man weighing 270 pounds. After turning the man on his back, Officer Croft swam the victim to the canal bank.

By this time, the Lyons Fire Department had arrived and launched a boat in the canal, but the intoxicated man was too big to lift into it. Croft held the victim's head above water until the Fire Department retrieved him with a rescue basket.

The victim was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted in guarded condition. Officer Croft was a member of the Lyons Police Department at the time of the incident.

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