Twenty-three police officers from across Westchester County were honored Thursday at the Westchester County Center for their heroic acts.

One of the individuals rescued last year even made a surprise appearance at the ceremony. Yonkers Police Officer Louis Sabatell disregarded his own safety and crawled into an unstable vehicle to pull a young girl through an opening. The 6-year-old that Sabatello saved that day, Evelie Castillo, made a surprise appearance at the ceremony to thank Sabatell.

Sabatell says it's about helping people, especially children.

Among the others who were recognized were seven Westchester County police officers who made a daring rescue of an injured hiker last July near the Bear Mountain Bridge. The ceremony also honored Irvington Police Officer Jim Egloff, who tackled a knife-wielding man at a train station last July while another officer tended to the victim.

A total of six law enforcement departments from across Westchester County were recognized at the ceremony. Fallen officers were also recognized at the ceremony.