DETROIT, MI -- Beneath the muscles, tattoos and facial hair of two Detroit police officers credited with saving a pregnant woman's life Monday are surprisingly pretty toenails.

"My daughter wanted green. I picked gold," said 17-year Detroit police veteran Brian Gadwell.

When Gadwell and his partner, Detroit Police Officer Steven Rauser, courageously jumped into the Detroit River on Monday night to rescue a pregnant woman who fell into the frigid water, they didn't expect their recently painted toenails to become public knowledge.

After spending nearly 10 minutes in the water, Gadwell said he made it ashore and medics were removing his clothes and trying to warm him.

"I know I look like some big tough guy; they take my shoes off and my socks and all my toenails are painted," he said a day after the rescue.

"They're looking at me funny and I'm like, 'This is what happens when you have daughters at home.

"Sometimes big, bad, tough dad has to sit down at the nail parlor and get my nails done."

The revelation added levity to the otherwise serious situation, but the scenario would soon become even more humorous.

"I get to the hospital and everyone is making fun of me," Gadwell said. " ... They're laughing at me and they go, 'Hey, just so you know, your partner's toes are done too."

Gadwell has two daughters. Rauser has one.

Detroit Police Officer Steven Rauser, Chief James Craig and Officer Brian Gadwell discuss the rescue of a pregnant woman who fell or jumped into the Detroit River and was rescued by Gadwell and Rauser on April 17, 2017.

The woman they rescued survived and was also treated for hypothermia after spending between 15 and 20 minutes in the cold river.

After arriving to the hospital, a cesarean section was performed and the woman gave birth to a healthy baby.