Newton Police Officer Recognized For Saving Life

NEWTON, MA — When a man collapsed during a men's recreational league baseball game at Albermarle Field last month and was unresponsive, a nearby police officer heard the dispatch report on his police radio.

He raced to the scene, realized the 26-year-old needed CPR and reverted to his training, pulling out the AED device and using that on the man as he performed CPR. This week, the Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and the city council recognized Newton Police Officer Gregory Helms for saving the man's life that day.

Helms worked with other police officers, emergency medical technicians, and Newton Fire Department personnel to bring Eric Stephens' pulse back and allowed him to regain consciousness.

On Thursday, Officer Helms was recognized for his actions and was reunited with Stephens and his family at a ceremony at Newton City Hall.

Officials said if Helms hadn't acted as swiftly it may not have been such a happy ending.

Previously on Patch:

Baseball Player Saved After Collapsing In Newton

Pictured above: Officer Helms and Eric Stephens with both of their families, Mayor Fuller, and Chief MacDonald; Eric Stephens and Officer Helms with their mothers; Officer Helms’ son Grayson at Mayor Fuller’s desk. Photos courtesy Newton Mayor's office.