Hero: Officer helps save woman, dog from icy water

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Several Ithaca, N.Y., residents and officials earned the title of hero when they rescued a woman and her dog after the pair fell through the ice on the morning of March 7, 2009.

Iva Lesky, a retired teacher, was walking her dogs, Tovar and Tcheera, along the reservoir at Six Mile Creek in Ithaca. After letting her dogs off their leashes, Tovar went on the ice and within seconds was in the water. After calling for help, Lesky realized no one was around and made an easy decision.

America's Incredible Pizza Co. and CJM Racing are honoring Incredible Heroes throughout the 2009 Nationwide Series season. If you know of an Incredible Hero, let us know.

• E-mail a nomination
• Official Web site

"I thought. Could I live with myself if I just stood there and watched him die?'" she said. "It was not a hard choice at all." Lesky said she got on her stomach and shimmied on the ice to her dog. When she finally reached him, she said everything went blank.

It was then that 13 year-old Christian Schuepdach was passing by and saw someone in the water. He immediately called 911. While waiting for officials to arrive, passer-bys began to gather around and tried to pull Lesky to safety.

Investigator Michael DuBrava and Officer Stephen Moracco were the first officials on the scene. By this time, Lesky was able to pull herself out of the water and shimmy her way back to shore. However, her dog Tovar was still trapped in the water.

It was Officer Moracco and another Ithaca resident that were finally able to rescue Tovar from the frigid water. The two tied leashes together and Moracco lowered himself into the water. When the dog was safely in his arms, the other gentleman hoisted them out.

Lesky was sent to Cayuga Medical Center and kept for two days for observations. Both she and Tovar have made full recoveries. She said she couldn't be more grateful for everyone's help for her and Tovar.

"It was very inspiring to see how people were willing to sacrifice themselves for somebody else and do what was needed," she said. "It made me feel good about this community, and everybody really did a fabulous job."

Officer Moracco will be honored as this week's "Incredible Her" at Watkins Glen for his heroic act.

The "Incredible Heroes" are extended an invite to attend the Nationwide Series race as guests of CJM Racing and America's Incredible Pizza Co. Each hero receives a plaque in recognition of their heroism and they spend a VIP day at the race track.