Police Save Life Using CPR After Man Collapses While Shoveling Snow In Somerset County

FRANKLIN, NJ — A man who collapsed while shoveling snow was saved by Franklin Township Police Officers using CPR last month, said Acting Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks on Thursday.

On Jan. 19 at around 10:27 a.m., Officer Martin Ragaie and Officer Edmond Neequaye went to the area of Route 27 and Church Street on the report of an unconscious man.

The man, who was working for his employer, was shoveling snow when he collapsed, said Fredericks.

Officers found the man was not breathing and had no pulse. They immediately began CPR and started using a defibrillator with the help of Det. Rosendo Vargas.

After several rounds of CPR and two defibrillator shocks, the man regained a pulse and began breathing on his own.

Kendall Park EMS and Robert Wood Johnson paramedics took the man to a local hospital, who has since made a full recovery.

The Franklin Township Council will recognize the officers at its Feb. 24 meeting.

"I am grateful our officers were able to use their training and equipment to save a life," Fredericks
said. "Training that was previously required every other year is now taken annually. By increasing
the repetitions and amount of time officers spend training, we are better prepared to provide critical
assistance to residents and visitors when every second matters."

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