Cop hopes to find ring after Ocean City beach rescue
An off-duty police officer who lost his wedding ring in Ocean City during an impromptu beach rescue is hoping for a million-to-one shot at retrieving the missing band.
Amanda and Dylan Dvorak of Cecil County were at the beach by the Carousel Resort Hotel, on 117th Street, celebrating their anniversary when the ring slipped from Dylan’s finger.
“We always go down that week in September because it’s our anniversary and his birthday weekend,” Amanda said. “We made it a tradition since we got married, because that’s where we came for our honeymoon.”
The couple was at the beach at about noon Sept. 4, four days before their anniversary, when Dylan noticed a fellow swimmer in trouble.
“He said, ‘Help,’ ” Dylan recounted, “and then he said, ‘Help,’ again. ‘I’m stuck in a rip tide.’ ”
With high summer already over and no lifeguard on duty nearby, Dylan helped the struggling swimmer.
The two battled the strong current for several minutes and went under with a wave before making it safely to shore.
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“When we did finally get to shore, the gentleman went back to his seat to catch his breath and count his blessings,” Amanda said. “When I went back, I looked at my husband and he showed me his ring was gone.”
“Right after we were about to get out of the current, my ring drifted off in the water,” Dylan said. “I could’ve slid my ring back on, but I would’ve had to let go of the guy. I wasn’t really willing to risk losing him in a wave.”
The couple combed the beach in the following days and alerted the front desk at the Carousel Hotel, where they normally spend their annual Ocean City escape.
They also called the city’s public works department, which is charged with sweeping the beach.
“We took it into our own hands to do the best that we can do” to find the missing ring, Amanda said.
The band was an anniversary present several years ago and is an unusual motif of titanium black encircled with blue diamonds called the “Thin Blue Line” in honor of Dylan’s service as a police officer for more than seven years.
Because the band stands out, Amanda hoped it would be easier to find in the sand.
Though locating the lost ring is a “one-in-a-million” chance, the couple plans to comb the beach again when they return to Ocean City in October, she said.
“We’ll scour the beach some more just to have some fun with the kids,” Amanda said.
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Though they bought a replacement band during their September stay, the Dvoraks plan to purchase another Thin Blue Line ring if the original remains missing.
“You hope and you pray,” Amanda said. “If anybody does find it, it would mean it a lot to us, as it’s got sentimental value.”
Still, the couple is glad they were able to help a fellow beachgoer.
“It all came together as the right place at the right time, and the right thing to do,” Amanda said.
She asked anyone with a lead on the missing ring to contact her at amanda_dvorak3@yahoo.com.