(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A Chicago police officer is being credited with saving the life of a woman struggling in Lake Michigan on Thursday morning.
Officer Joanna Tys says she arrived at North Avenue Beach shortly after the distress call came in at around 5:45 a.m. for a woman in the water.
Tys arrived before the Marine Unit and didn't want to wait after hearing they were still four minutes away, she said.
“Four minutes is a long time. The lady, I believe, was out there for 15 or 20 minutes already,” Tys said.
Tys said she swam out to the struggling woman.
“I wrapped my arm around her, and for a second, she went under the water, but I was able to pick her up and hold her up,” the officer said. “And I told her, ‘Please stay calm, that way I can stay calm and everything will be okay.’”
The Marine Unit approached about a minute later. Once both were safely on board, Tys says the woman repeatedly thanked her for saving her life.
The department says the 26-year-old swimmer was hospitalized in fair condition.
After getting checked out, Tys met with reporters to share her experience.
She called it the best moment in her career.
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