A Tamaqua police officer and two volunteer firefighters were honored for saving a woman who was trapped inside a vehicle that crashed into the Little Schuylkill River in February.

Mayor Dave Clemson presented commendation citations to Officer Dave Krape, along with Thomas Nelson and Mark Leiby, both of the American Hose Fire Company of Tamaqua.

Krape also received a Lifesaving Award and Medal of Valor.

The three were recognized at Tuesday’s borough council meeting.

“On Feb. 19, Officer Krape responded to a vehicle overturned in the Little Schuylkill River with the driver trapped inside,” Clemson read from the citation. “Without hesitation, he descended a steep embankment, entered the river and reached the submerged vehicle.”

Krape broke the window and cut the seat belt to free the driver, who was suspended upside down. The vehicle was partially submerged and its doors were inoperable, so Krape pulled the woman from the wreckage.

At that point, Krape, Nelson and Leiby guided the driver — a 42-year-old Hazleton woman — to an area where two 12-foot roof ladders had been positioned for safe evacuation.

Krape climbed the ladder with the woman on his back and turned her over to ambulance personnel.

“Officer Krape’s swift action, courage and disregard for personal safety directly saved a human life and exemplified the high standards of the Tamaqua Police Department,” Clemson said.

Citations presented to Nelson and Leiby honored them for their “vital assistance” and heroism during the lifesaving rescue.

Nelson and Leiby’s actions “stand as a powerful example of the bravery, integrity and service that define (Tamaqua’s) first responders,” according to the citation, which was also signed by police Chief Michael Hobbs.