Hackensack, New Jersey – On Tuesday afternoon, an 80‑year‑old driver who became unresponsive in his vehicle at the busy intersection of Essex Street and Polifly Road was rescued by officers from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. The quick response and life‑saving training of the deputies turned a potentially tragic incident into a story of hope for the community.
Rapid response saves a life
When local dispatch received a call about a stopped car with an unresponsive driver, Sheriff’s deputies arrived within minutes. Upon reaching the scene, they found the elderly man slumped behind the wheel, showing no signs of consciousness. Recognizing the urgency, the officers broke a passenger‑side window to gain immediate access.
Deputy Ryan Dingertopadre, the officer on scene, worked alongside his partner to carefully extract the driver from the vehicle. The deputies then began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and applied a defibrillator, delivering shocks in an effort to restart the man’s heart. Their coordinated effort continued until emergency medical services arrived and took over care.
Training makes the difference
According to the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, all sworn officers are required to undergo regular CPR certification and are expected to maintain proficiency in life‑saving techniques. Deputy Dingertopadre noted that this incident marks the third time in his career that he has been directly involved in a life‑saving emergency of this nature, underscoring the value of ongoing training for first responders.
“We take our training very seriously because you never know when you’ll be called upon to save a life,” Dingertopadre said. “Our goal is to be ready the moment we’re needed, and today’s outcome shows that preparation works.”
Community impact and gratitude
The driver, who remains in recovery at a local hospital, is expected to make a full recovery thanks to the swift actions of the sheriff’s officers. Family members expressed deep gratitude for the deputies’ dedication, noting that the quick response likely prevented a fatal outcome.
Local residents have also praised the sheriff’s office for its commitment to public safety beyond traditional law‑enforcement duties. Community leaders highlighted the incident as an example of how well‑trained public‑safety personnel protect citizens in everyday situations, reinforcing the importance of supporting such training programs.
Looking ahead
The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office continues to emphasize emergency preparedness, planning additional training sessions for its officers throughout the year. By maintaining high standards of readiness, the department aims to ensure that every officer can act decisively when lives are at stake.
For more information on the sheriff’s training programs or to learn how community members can support local first‑responders, visit the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office website or attend upcoming public‑safety town halls.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
