Sheriff helps couple find engagement ring in snow

A Suffolk County deputy sheriff went above and beyond to help a couple find an engagement ring they lost in the snow.

Deputy Sheriff Anita Caruso was on duty Dec. 30 when she spotted a disabled vehicle on the side of County Road 51 in Eastport and two people sifting through the snow, according to the sheriff’s office.

Natalie Gerweck, 31, of Bay Shore and Jason Griffin, 39, of Ronkonkoma, were driving when their car got a flat tire and slid off the road. When Gerweck went outside to inspect the car, her engagement ring slid off her finger and got lost in the fresh snow.

Caruso said she pulled over and helped the newly engaged couple search outside their car as the snow continued to fall.

“I felt so bad,” said Caruso, 39. “I was prepared to keep looking. I told them we just weren’t going to give up.”

After searching for about 10 minutes, Caruso called the sheriff’s duty office in Riverhead and requested a metal detector — one of the wands deputies use to search prisoners — delivered to the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.

Caruso searched the area again, this time sweeping over the site with the wand, and eventually plucked the ring from the snow.

“They were so happy and grateful,” Caruso said.

The deputy sheriff stayed with the couple until a tow truck arrived to change their tire and gave them both a hug before returning to duty.