Close call.

On July 5, 2003, in Ledgedale, Pennsylvania, two-year-old Scott Brown and his eight-month-old brother Christopher were securely restrained in car seats in the rear of a sports utility vehicle when it suddenly rolled down a boat ramp and plunged into Lake Wallenpaupack. Nearby on the bank, off-duty police officer Richard Domotor, Sr., of Kendall Park, New Jersey, witnessed the accident, as did the boys' father. They ran to the ramp, dived into the water, and swam to the still-floating vehicle.

Entering the SUV through the open window on the driver's side, Domotor reached into the back-seat area and, assisted by the father, freed Scott from his car seat. While the father took the child to shore, Domotor continued working feverishly to free Christopher from his car seat.

Just as Domotor was running out of air, he managed to yank the boy free, cradle him under one arm, then exit the vehicle and surface. Though nearly exhausted, Domotor swam to the bank with Christopher on his chest.

Christopher was rushed to a hospital, where he was found to be uninjured and in remarkably good condition. His brother also emerged from the harrowing ordeal unscathed, as did their father and Officer Domotor.

In March, Domotor received a Carnegie Medal and $3,500 grant from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, an award honoring those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.