May 30, 2014 (Baltimore, MD) — Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., today announced that two of the Department’s Environmental Police Officers have been honored for their heroic actions in saving two lives last year. The recognition came yesterday from Baltimore County Councilman Todd Huff at a forum held at Loch Raven Dam.

Officer Heidi Greenleaf and Officer Jerome Janos were on boat patrol duty in the Pines section of Loch Raven Reservoir on June 29, 2013 when they noted a disturbance in the water. Upon closer inspection two children, ages 12 and two, were struggling as they were going under.

The officers worked together to bring the girls into the boat, saving them from drowning.

The older child had taken the younger child to an offshore island and they couldn’t manage to make it back to shore. This type of activity has resulted in past drownings at Loch Raven and at our other reservoirs – Liberty and Prettyboy.

On Thursday, Baltimore County Councilman Todd Huff honored both officers for their actions on that day. Each officer received a proclamation from Councilman Huff and also a Baltimore Environmental Police Lifesaving Award Pin to be displayed on their uniforms.

Director Chow stated: “I am extremely proud of our officers who not only protect our watersheds and water facilities, but who also protect our citizens and visitors. I am also grateful that our neighbors in Baltimore and Carroll Counties have taken the time to salute not only these two outstanding police professionals, but others as well.”

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works reminds citizens that swimming in the reservoirs is strictly prohibited. These are man-made lakes with steep dangerous drop-offs into very cold water. The reservoirs serve as the drinking water supply for 1.8 million people.