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Police Officers Honored For Bravery On Long Island

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (WCBS 880) -- Several police officers on Long Island received awards for bravery on Wednesday.

The officers, including Officer Matthew DeMatteo, were honored for courage in the line of duty.

Officer DeMatteo crawled on his stomach on ice to save a little girl who fell into the Great South Bay in January.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall has more on the ceremony to honor cops on Long Island.

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"As soon as I walked out and saw the little girl yelling 'help me, help me,' I don't care who you are – you will do anything you can to save her," Officer DeMatteo said.

The girl, 11-year-old Sarah Thalhammer, said she would never forget the officer who saved her life.

Thank you, which I have said a million times already," she said.

The officer said he was just doing his job, but he was thankful for the kind words.

"It means a lot…it means a lot," he said.

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