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Shelter Island honors responders for Shell Beach water rescue
Summary
The town recognized police, highway and emergency personnel for rescuing two people and a dog after they fell through ice Dec. 15 at Shell Beach; a victim's letter read at the meeting thanked responders for saving three lives.
Shelter Island’s town board opened its meeting by honoring a coordinated multi-agency response that rescued two people and their dog after they fell through the ice at Shell Beach on Dec. 15, 2025. The chief recounted that responders worked in bitter cold and high winds to reach victims about 100 feet offshore; victims and the dog were brought aboard and warmed before EMS transport.
The chief (Speaker 2) described the incident as “a coordinated effort under extremely hazardous winter conditions,” saying police Officer Keel entered the water and marine patrol Officer Beau Payne navigated the police boat to retrieve the victims after about 15 minutes in 32°F water. The board awarded certificates and distinctions to named responders, including Glenn Keel, Beau Payne, Jenny Zayler, Kenny Lewis, Ronald Anderson and Wesley Clondon.
A letter from one of the victims, read aloud by the chief, thanked “the Shelter Island Department of Police, Fire, Highway, and Emergency Services” and said, “I cannot begin to express my gratitude…for saving my life, my friend Johnny’s life, and my sweet boy Archie’s life, the dog.” Board members recessed briefly for coffee and a ceremony to present certificates.
The recognition underscored the board’s view that quick decision-making and cross-department teamwork were decisive in preventing fatalities. No formal policy or additional operational action was announced at the meeting.
