Off-Duty Howell Officer, Retired Officer Save Man's Life At Gym

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township police officer is receiving praise Wednesday after his quick action to start CPR saved the life of a man who collapsed at a fitness center in Brick, Howell's police chief said.

Howell Police Officer Jonathan Woolley was off duty at the time and working out Wednesday morning when he saw an elderly man collapse, Howell Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. said.

Woolley immediately checked on the man and found he was not breathing and did not have a pulse, and was turning purple, Kudrick said.

A female trainer at the facility, who is a retired police officer, and Woolley immediately began CPR, doing chest compressions and rescue breathing. An automated external defibrillator also was used on the man, who is 85 years old, Kudrick said.

Woolley and the trainer kept treating the man until Brick Police EMS and paramedics arrived to take over.

"As of 10 a.m., the 85-year-old patient was responsive and doing well, according to hospital staff who contacted me to commend Officer Woolley," Kudrick said. MONOC paramedics also called Kudrick and stressed that the immediate actions of Woolley and the training saved the man's life.

Woolley, who has been with the Howell department for 15 years, works in the department's Professional Development Group (training) and is a motorcycle officer. He's also a member of the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (SWAT).

"This is another example how police officers are always on-duty and always ready to help those in need of assistance," Kudrick said. "In this incident, two officers worked together and saved a man’s life. Great job by Officer Woolley and the trainer!"

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