New Jersey State Police Trooper Craig Kempinski jumped into the water on Saturday near Hatteras after his wife noticed a woman getting dragged into the ocean by a rip current.
Kempinski said he noticed the woman was about 200 yards off-shore and knew he had to get to her as quickly as possible.
The off-duty trooper used his water-rescue training and a boogie board to reach the victim.
Kempinski said the woman was exhausted and could barely stay above water.
He gave her the boogie board, and with help from a paddle-boarder, Kempinski got her safely back to the beach.