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capsized canoe

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Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers rescued four canoers in the Long Island Sound off of Wading River on May 21.

Darwin Ortis, Adrian Zelaya, Walter Noriega and Gelyn Linairs were in two canoes on the Long Island Sound, approximately 3⁄4 mile north of Wading River Beach, when they capsized and went overboard into approximately 58-degree water. Linairs called 911 at 7:23 p.m.

Aviation Section officers found the people in the water and directed Marine Bureau officers Gregory Stroh and Michael Malone aboard Marine Delta to their location. The canoers, three of whom were wearing life preservers, were taken aboard Marine Delta before being transferred to a Sound Beach Fire Department vessel.

Ortis, 32, of Mastic Beach, Zelaya, 32, from Central Islip, Noriega, 47, of Mastic Beach and Linairs, 41, of Mastic Beach were all transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead for treatment of hypothermia.

Officer James Behrens assists Luis Ramirez back to shore after his canoe capsized in Miller Place. Photo from SCPD

The decisive and brave actions of a Suffolk County Police Department 6th Precinct officer likely saved a life Wednesday morning.

Officer James Behrens rescued two men after their canoe capsized in the Long Island Sound July 11 at about 600 feet off shore near Landing Road in Miller Place, according to police.

Behrens responded to a 911 call reporting men yelling for help in the Long Island Sound in Miller Place at about 9:20 a.m.. The officer arrived on the beach and grabbed a life ring from his police vehicle and a paddle board from a local residence, and then swam out to the men and offered assistance, police said.

Town of Brookhaven Bay Constable Steven Bennett arrived on a boat and assisted Behrens with pulling the first man, Edgar Guirola-Hernandez, 33, of Brentwood, out of the water. Suffolk County Marine Bureau Officers Neil Stringer and Christopher Erickson arrived aboard Marine Delta and pulled Officer Behrens and the second man, Luis Ramirez, 44, of Centereach, out of the water. The victims were wearing life jackets.

The victims were evaluated by the Miller Place Fire Department at the Cedar Beach Marina and refused further medical treatment.