NYPD Officers’ Heroic Rescue Gives Teen a Second Chance at Life
In a remarkable display of courage and quick thinking, three NYPD officers from the 32nd Precinct in Uptown Manhattan became heroes on Tuesday when they rescued a teenage girl from the frigid waters of the Harlem River. Officers Ankit Gupta, Wilmer Guerrero, and Shuaibul Amine responded to desperate cries for help near 142nd Street around 2 p.m., finding a young woman struggling to stay afloat about 20 feet from shore. The harrowing rescue, captured entirely on bodycam footage later released by the NYPD, showcases the split-second decisions and teamwork that ultimately saved the teen’s life.
The released video reveals the intensity of those critical moments as the officers first assessed the situation, calling out to determine if the girl could swim. With temperatures near freezing and the girl clearly in distress, Officer Gupta made the extraordinary decision to remove his jacket and plunge into the icy Harlem River. Meanwhile, Officer Guerrero carefully positioned himself on a narrow concrete ledge along the shoreline, ready to assist in pulling the girl to safety. Officer Amine coordinated the rescue operation from solid ground, providing crucial support as his colleagues battled against time and the elements. Their synchronized efforts exemplify the finest traditions of emergency response—where personal safety becomes secondary to saving a life in peril.
The bodycam footage captures the raw emotion and urgency of the rescue as the officers worked together to reach the struggling teen. “Help her up!” echoed across the water as they carefully maneuvered to lift the girl from the frigid river. What makes this rescue particularly remarkable is the officers’ immediate willingness to put themselves at serious risk. The Harlem River in winter presents multiple life-threatening dangers—hypothermia can set in within minutes, and the shock of cold water can quickly incapacitate even strong swimmers. Despite these risks, the officers acted without hesitation, demonstrating extraordinary bravery in service to their community.
In a statement released after the incident, the NYPD highlighted the officers’ selfless response: “When it came to saving a life, our officers had no hesitation. 32nd Precinct officers saw a woman in the East River and jumped into the frigid water to pull her to safety.” This straightforward description belies the complexity and danger of the rescue operation. What might seem like a simple task—reaching someone in the water—becomes exponentially more difficult when factoring in the freezing temperatures, the weight of water-soaked clothing, the challenge of maintaining secure footing on slippery surfaces, and the need to safely transport someone in a panicked state back to shore without either person becoming submerged.
For Officer Gupta, who took the life-altering plunge into the freezing river, the rescue wasn’t about personal recognition but about teamwork and purpose. “I’m just glad that we were all there as a group,” he told the New York Post afterward. “It was a team effort that gave her a second chance.” His humble reflection speaks volumes about the mindset of many first responders who view their most heroic moments not as extraordinary acts but simply as fulfilling the commitment they made when joining the force. Officer Amine echoed this sentiment with equal humility: “It’s great when you save somebody. That’s what we signed up for in this job, right?”
This rescue serves as a powerful reminder of the daily risks and split-second decisions faced by law enforcement officers across America. While public discussions about policing often focus on controversial incidents or systemic issues, countless acts of heroism and compassion go largely unnoticed. The three officers from the 32nd Precinct didn’t know when they began their shift that they would end the day having saved a young life. They simply responded to a call, assessed a dangerous situation, and took immediate action—demonstrating the highest ideals of public service. For the young woman pulled from the Harlem River that cold afternoon, their commitment to duty meant nothing less than a second chance at life, made possible by three individuals who put someone else’s survival above their own safety without a moment’s hesitation.
