Cranford Officers Honored For Resuscitating Resident

CRANFORD, NJ — Two members of the Cranford Police Department and a construction official were honored for their quick-thinking and life-saving efforts.

Lt. Chris Polito, Ptl. Corey LoForte and Construction Official Frank Genova were honored successfully resuscitating a resident who collapsed in the Municipal Building on Nov. 1. The group was honored by the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey on Wednesday.

On Nov. 1 a 71-year-old resident collapsed in the Administrative Wing and became unresponsive due to a cardiac episode. For nearly a minute, Genova continued the exhausting life-saving measures until Lt. Polito and Off. Loforte got to the scene to continue CPR. Both reassessed that the man had no pulse, was not breathing, and Lt. Polito continued CPR while Off. Loforte went to retrieve an AED and oxygen.

After about two plus minutes of CPR, the victim gasped for air. The man was taken to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center with a faint pulse.

Chief Greco commended everyone for their actions during this incident. "The American Heart Association estimates that only 10% of “out of hospital” cardiac patients survive. It is a true testament to their training and their physical and mental capabilities during this highly tense and stressful ordeal," he said.