Cops Honored For Saving Teen's Life At Hillsborough Basketball Game

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani and the Township Committee honored three Police Officers with a proclamation for saving a 15-year-old boy who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing basketball in the township on Jan. 7.

Hillsborough Police Officers Dylan Ely, Tiana Ramos, and Rick Tichenor were honored with the Police Department's CPR Lifesaving Award at the April 25 Committee meeting.

"I am touched by each and every person here and there are so many heroes. The police officers that came within minutes to save my son's life," said Jonathan Maro's father Bill. "They saved his life, they saved my family's life and they saved the school community of St. James' life and all of his team. How many people would have been affected negatively if these fine-trained police officers were not there?"

Jonathan was playing basketball for Saint James School of Basking Ridge in the Hillsborough High School gym on Jan. 7 when Bill Maro saw his son fall on the court. Read More: Teen Without Pulse, Not Breathing Rescued By CPR In Hillsborough

Ely, Ramos, and Tichenor, along with Good Samaritans Cindy Nurse, Todd Sudol, Stacy Narula, and Kathleen Holmlund, jumped into action and saved the life of Jonathan Mauro during a basketball game at Auten Road School.

Lipani noted all of the things that go on behind the scenes that led to the positive outcome on Jan. 7.

"The training that goes on, the fact that they were able to do it and save this young man's life so he is standing with us today," said Lipani.

"Thank you from my heart, thank you from Jonathan. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love everybody here," said Jim Maro.

The proclamation thanked the officers "for being shining members of our community."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.