On a May evening in 2022, a call came into the Allentown Police Department. A man had fallen into the Lehigh River near Adams Island. The current was strong, the water was cold, and the situation was deteriorating fast. Officers Kayla Balatgek and Andrew Gehringer responded.
No Time to Wait
When Balatgek and Gehringer arrived at the scene, they could see the man in the water. He was in distress. A formal water rescue team was not yet on scene. The officers had a choice: wait for specialized equipment and trained rescue swimmers, or go in now. They went in now.
Officer Gehringer stripped off his duty belt, outer gear, and uniform and entered the Lehigh River. Officer Balatgek removed her outer layers and followed. Allentown Fire Department Lieutenant Vincent Kidd, responding from the fire side, also entered the water. Together, the three first responders reached the man and brought him to shore, where they began CPR. The man was transported to a hospital.
What This Kind of Rescue Requires
River rescues are among the most dangerous calls a first responder can face. Moving water is unpredictable and powerful. Cold water saps strength within minutes. Submerged obstacles are invisible. The rescuer risks becoming a victim themselves, which is why standard protocol generally calls for waiting for trained water rescue teams with proper equipment. Balatgek, Gehringer, and Kidd understood the protocol and made a calculated decision that waiting would mean losing the victim.
That kind of decision making under pressure is the hallmark of exceptional first responders. It requires an instant assessment of risk, capability, and likelihood of success, all conducted in seconds while someone's life hangs in the balance. The three officers got it right, and a man survived because of it.
Recognized for Professionalism and Heroism
The rescue was recognized by the Allentown Police Department during its annual commendation ceremonies, with citations for professionalism and heroism. The incident also drew attention from local media, highlighting the kind of above and beyond responses that Allentown's first responders are capable of when the situation demands it.
For Balatgek and Gehringer, the rescue was not about seeking recognition. It was about responding to a person in crisis with everything they had. For the Lehigh Valley, their actions are a reminder that the officers who patrol our streets are prepared to do far more than write tickets and take reports. They are trained, capable, and willing to put their own safety at risk to save a stranger. On that May evening on the banks of the Lehigh River, that willingness saved a life.
