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The meeting happened at Stamford Hospital on Monday, Aug. 17 under far less dire circumstances.
Off-duty officer John McClafferty and his fiance, Stamford Hospital nurse Megan Donahue, were enjoying a day off on Tuesday July 2 when they spotted a lifeguard pulling 7-year-old Regina Renodo from the water, according to the Stamford Police Department.
McClafferty and Donahue then immediately jumped in and started to administer aid and CPR.
"There was a commotion and many on the beach stood in spots to look," said bystander Margo Sandahl of the incident. "We could tell that something was horribly wrong and that there was a little girl laying on the sand.
"I noticed a woman who was laying out on the beach next to us walk down to the area where aid was being rendered. Later I discovered she was a nurse. All I could see is that lifesaving measures were being performed. I had goosebumps."
The name of the responding lifeguard was not available.
"We are so proud of Officer John McClafferty and Stamford Nurse Megan Donahue," said a press release issued by the Stamford Police Department. "A great young couple who put their training to great work. Our hats are off to all that helped save this special girl that day. Stamford is such a great community."
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