Off-duty officer helps prevent drowning at Walden Pond

CONCORD, Mass. — Less than 24 hours after a man drowned at Walden Pond, a police officer's instinct helped prevent another tragedy.

Arlington police officer Matthew Riley was off-duty and enjoying the beach with his children when he heard a woman panicking.

“She was yelling somebody help, somebody help and she was pointing to a man out past the swim area in obvious distress,” he said.

Without a second thought, Riley jumped into action and ran into the water to grab the man.

“The adrenaline kicks in,” he said.

The 70-year-old man was conscious and breathing, a huge relief for his family, and a proud moment for the police department and the officer’s children.

“My daughter gave me a big high five and said good job,” Riley said.

For Riley and his colleagues, the job of being a police officer never ends.

“On duty off duty when something happens the instincts and your training take over,” Arlington Police Sgt. Dave Martin said.

The man Officer Riley helped may have suffered a medical emergency that caused him to go under.

“We take the oath of office very seriously it doesn’t end when the uniform comes off for the day,” Riley said.

Cox Media Group