Off-Duty Montclair Cop Helps Save Life In West Orange

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — You can’t turn off the instincts of a good police officer who sees a person in trouble, it seems.

On Wednesday, township officials in Montclair gave a round of applause for a local cop who went “above and beyond the call of duty” while recently traveling with his family in West Orange.

When Scott McGrath hit the road on Oct. 5, he came across a car with activated hazard lights, which was causing a traffic jam. Little did he know that it would turn into a life-saving moment, Montclair officials said:

“Michelle Moriarty was in distress, screaming for help as her friend James Brown went limp and unresponsive. Without hesitation, Officer McGrath sprung into action. He assessed the situation, initiated CPR and coordinated with West Orange 911 to ensure swift assistance. After three to five minutes of intense efforts, Mr. Brown started breathing again. Officer McGrath's quick thinking and bravery played a crucial role. With the arrival of medics and an ambulance, they used an AED, and Mr. Brown was rushed to the hospital.”

“As of October 8, we're thrilled to report that Mr. Brown is fully off the respirator, with no brain damage, and has complete feeling in all extremities,” Montclair officials wrote, praising McGrath’s “exceptional police work and dedication to duty.”

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