Middletown Police Officers Help Man In Wheelchair Stranded On Side Of Rt. 36

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A Hazlet woman said she wants to recognize two Middletown Police officers who she saw do an act of kindness Monday.

It was 11:45 a.m. Monday and Leticia Mora was driving down Rt. 36 in Middletown. That's when she noticed an elderly man in a motorized wheelchair on the side of the road. The chair's battery appeared to have died and he was using a can to pull himself along the side of the highway.

Subscribe

"It broke my heart," she said, adding that she was also very concerned about the man's safety on the side of the busy road.

Mora called the Middletown Police Department, which "immediately sent two officers," she said. "What happened next was truly remarkable. One officer personally pushed the gentleman in his wheelchair all the way back to his home — which was not a short distance — while the other officer followed alongside (in his patrol car) to ensure his safety."

A Middletown Police spokesman confirmed that Patrolmen Trevor Brey and Sal Albanese responded this morning, and that Brey pushed the older man about one third of a mile back to his home, while Albanese slowly drove alongside them on Rt. 36, and provided a safe area with his patrol car.

Mora said she drove back to check on the man, and she watched the officers escort the older man all the way home.

"The gentleman was so thankful for them helping him," she said.

"Because of their quick response, patience and genuine care, this gentleman made it home safely," she posted to Facebook Monday. "In a world where we often hear about the negative, it’s important to recognize acts of kindness like this. These officers went above and beyond, and their compassion deserves to be celebrated."

"Thank you, Middletown Police Department, for looking out for members of our community and for showing what public service is all about."

"Both officers are a credit to the agency, and this is but one example of the fine work that they do in service to the community," said Middletown Deputy Police Chief Paul Bailey.