Westwood Police Officer Credited with Saving Woman's Life

"I was sure I was going to die," said Margaret Rosenbauer of Hillsdale who said she choked on a piece of meat while at a party in Westwood over the weekend. But luckily for her, the fast actions of a Westwood police officer, civilians and the EMS prevented tragedy from striking.

Officer Scott McNiff, who is finishing his 16th year with the , said he was the first to arrive at Saturday after police received a 911 call about a woman choking. When he was directed to party room, he said he saw Rosenbauer was very dark with charcoal lips and a gray face, which he said indicated she was being deprived of oxygen.

A civilian nurse who was at the restaurant had tried the Heimlich maneuver, according to McNiff, who said he tried six more thrusts without any results. "She was completely unconscious and limp," McNiff said.

He then began the process of CPR by doing 40 to 50 chest compressions. While he was doing that, he said Kevin Saul, whose brother is a detective for the police department and was a member of the family throwing the party, ran to get an oxygen tank from McNiff's vehicle.

Westwood Officer John Hurtuk, who also arrived on the scene, was leaning down with his oxygen tank when McNiff said he noticed a slight gurgle from Rosenbauer. He said her eyes, which had been fixed open, blinked and her tongue started moving. "She started breathing and started getting color back," McNiff said.

Rosenbauer was taken by ambulance to Valley Hospital where she said she spent a few hours and was then released.

Rosenbauer said she is extremely grateful for McNiff's actions. "This officer really needs to be commended. He literally saved my life," she said. "I thought I was going to die. Believe me, if it weren't for him, I would have. I just can't praise him enough."

But McNiff said he can't take all the credit. "It was a total team effort. I just happened to be the first one there," he said. "You do it with your brothers. Everybody's in it together." He said Sgt. Michael Pontillo really instilled the concept of teamwork in him and his fellow officers. Pontillo was also on the scene clearing tables out of the way.

McNiff also praised the individuals in the restaurant. "Thank god for the two civilians," he said. "A lot of people panic when something like that happens."

McNiff said he received a standing ovation when he left the restaurant to return to his vehicle and attend to other calls.

Rosenbauer said she appreciated all McNiff and members of the EMS did for her. "I'm so grateful," she said. "It was a harrowing experience."

She said although she didn't remember seeing McNiff's face Saturday, she knows he was very efficient. Rosenbauer is a former nurse and said she knows the good from the bad when it comes to medical personnel.

"My Irish mother-in-law always said when you save a life on earth, you're guaranteed a spot in heaven," Rosenbauer said. "There's no question that officer is going to be up there."

Saturday wasn't the first time McNiff saved the life of a choking victim. In 1997, he said he used the same methods on a 9-year-old boy who had choked. McNiff said the family, that now lives in Emerson, still brings him a Christmas present every year. And the boy is a student at Villanova University, where McNiff attended.