Sharon Girls Honored For Rescuing Swimmer In Distress

SHARON, MA — A pair of young local heroes were honored with some help from the town's most famous pooch as the Sharon Police Department presented Brooke Botelho, 11, and Jessica Buchsbaum, 12, with the first Flutie Good Citizen Award for their life-saving efforts at Lake Massapoag on June 20.

The girls each received a special, limited-edition sweatshirt and a Flutie sticker, while also getting to meet the Sharon police community resource K9.

On June 20, a man using a metal detector in the pond about 8 p.m. lost his footing and had trouble swimming to shore. A group of young teens heard his calls for help, with Botelho and Buchsbaum swimming over to help, and reaching the match while another called for emergency services.

The girls were able to help the man to shore safely.

"Sharon Police Community Resource dog Flutie was very excited to meet local heroes Brooke and Jessica," Sharon police said. "Both girls rescued someone in distress at Lake Massapoag at great risk to themselves.

"We are very proud of both girls courage and determination in making the rescue of a swimmer In distress. We all wish them the very best."