Chicago police officer hailed a hero for daring water rescue that saved woman's life

CHICAGO - After a daring water rescue, a Chicago police officer is being hailed a hero.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, Officer Joanna Tys of the 18th District sprang into action off the shore of North Avenue beach, after onlookers saw a swimmer in distress and called 911.

At first, Tys said she hesitated to go in because she knew the Chicago Fire Department's specially-trained Marine Unit was en route. But when she heard their ETA, she jumped in and started swimming.

"They were trying to wave the lady in," Tys said. "They were calling for her to move around a bit, to get closer so me and my partner, we started running."

When they got to the shoreline just south of the boat house at North Avenue beach, they saw a swimmer struggling out in the water.

"I right away I started thinking, 'is anybody going to be jumping in?' because we knew the Marine Unit was on their way," said Tys.

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Seconds later, Tys found out the Marine Unit – based in Dusable Harbor – was still four minutes out.

"Four minutes is a long time," said Tys. "The lady was out there for 15 to 20 minutes already. So I decided it's time for me to jump in. I looked at one of my coworkers, and we signaled to one another. I jumped in. I started swimming towards her. Halfway, I started to really get tired. But I heard my coworkers telling me: keep going, keep going."

Officer Tys reached the woman, wrapped her arm around her, and was able to hold her above the surface until the CFD Marine Unit arrived.

"This is just one example of Chicago Police and Chicago Fire working together to save lives on our beach," said 18th District Commander Mike Barz.

"She was just saying over and over again how happy she is that I saved her life, and about how much she loves me. It was a really great moment," said Tys. "That was probably the best moment in my career."

Officer Tys thanked her mother for all the swim lessons growing up.

"I am very proud," said Tys's mother, Margaret, who said ever since her daughter was a young girl, she always wanted to be a law enforcement officer.

The woman she rescued – 26 years old – was treated and released from the hospital.