Quick-Acting Tredyffrin Cop Saves Woman's Life

To protect and serve. That's law enforcement's role in our communities. While national headlines can paint law enforcement officer in negative lights, most of the nation's cops are dedicated public servants who want to make their communities safer for everyone.

And Tredyffrin Township Police are no different, as one it's boys in blue saved an elderly woman's life Saturday afternoon at the Gateway Shopping Center.

According to Tredyffrin Police, Cpl. Scott Costa responded to the outside area of the Outback Steakhouse at the shopping center on Oct. 22.

The call came in at about 3:21 p.m., reporting a woman had collapsed outside the restaurant, police said.

By 3:23 p.m., Costa was on scene and providing life-saving care to the breathless and pulse-less woman, police said.

Through CPR and use of a portable automated external defibrillator (AED), the woman's pulse came back and she was taken to Paoli Hospital's trauma center, police said.

Thanks to Costa's efforts, the woman is in stable condition, police said.

Costa has been with Tredyffrin Township Police for 11 years, police said.

"What law enforcement does, day in and day out, are public service-related calls such as this," Det. Sgt. Todd Bereda said of Costa's actions. "We're thankful that another person is still around."

Bereda said Costa's call is the third live-saving incident the township police have had in about the last month.

Bereda said the recent actions by officers show that properly outfitted law enforcement officers and train personnel can actually save lives.

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