Teaneck, NJ
Police & Fire
Off-Duty Fire Captain Rescues Child From Freezing Water In Teaneck Off-Duty Fire Captain Rescues Child From Freezing Water In Teaneck
Off-Duty Fire Captain Rescues Child From Freezing Water In Teaneck An off-duty Teaneck firefighter is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a child from icy waters on Jan. 22. Capt. Christopher Connolly was walking to his daughter’s school when he heard the chilling sound of someone falling through the ice. Rushing to the scene, Connolly found a child almost fully submerged, desperately clinging to an ice shelf while friends nearby struggled to pull them out. Quickly assessing the situation, Connolly ensured the area was safe and that no additional victims were at risk. He then pulled the child out of the freezing water and called 9-1-1, administering firs…

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by Cecilia Levine
Mastic-Shirley, NY
Police & Fire
'True Hero' Honored For Saving Jet Skier Who Fell Through Frozen Canal In Mastic Beach (VIDEO) 'True Hero' Honored For Saving Jet Skier Who Fell Through Frozen Canal In Mastic Beach (VIDEO)
'True Hero' Honored For Saving Jet Skier Who Fell Through Frozen Canal In Mastic Beach (Video) Local leaders formally honored a New York woman being hailed as a hero for rescuing a jet skier from a frozen canal. The dramatic rescue unfolded on Long Island's Poospatuck Creek in Mastic Beach, after a man found himself stuck and sinking in the icy water on Thursday, Dec. 26. Kayla Masotto spotted the struggling jet skier from her living room window and quickly sprang into action, walking onto the thin ice with her paddleboard to reach him, as Daily Voice reported. The canal had partially frozen over after overnight temperatures dipped into the low 20s. By the time she got to him, his …

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by Michael Mashburn
Mastic-Shirley, NY
News
Good Samaritan Rescues Jet Skier On Frozen Mastic Canal (VIDEO) Good Samaritan Rescues Jet Skier On Frozen Mastic Canal (VIDEO)
Good Samaritan Rescues Jet Skier On Frozen Mastic Canal (Video) A New York woman is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a jet skier who became stranded on a frozen canal, sending him into frigid waters. The dramatic rescue unfolded on Thursday, Dec. 26, on Long Island's Poospatuck Creek in Mastic Beach, after a jet skier found himself stuck and sinking in the icy water. Kayla Masotto, a nearby resident, sprang into action after spotting the man struggling in the freezing canal. Video shared on Instagram shows Masotto walking out onto the thin ice with her paddleboard to reach the man, whose arms and legs had gone numb from the cold water. A second …

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by Michael Mashburn
Scarsdale, NY
News
Scarsdale Teacher Turned Hero: Man Earns Medal For Saving Woman In Subway Attack Scarsdale Teacher Turned Hero: Man Earns Medal For Saving Woman In Subway Attack
Scarsdale Teacher Turned Hero: Man Earns Medal For Saving Woman In Subway Attack A Westchester art teacher has been awarded a prestigious medal for his heroic actions in saving a woman from a violent attack on a New York City subway.  The award, announced by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, honors 29-year-old Scarsdale High School teacher John Catania, who risked his life on Nov. 22, 2022, to intervene as a man attacked a 28-year-old woman with a bladed weapon on a subway train in New York City.  Catania rushed at the 6-foot-4 assailant after witnessing him slash the woman’s face and strike her again. His brave intervention gave the woman time to escape to a…

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by Ben Crnic
Burlington, NJ
Obituaries
'A True Hero': Vigil Honors Burlington Crossing Guard Killed Protecting Students From Car 'A True Hero': Vigil Honors Burlington Crossing Guard Killed Protecting Students From Car
'A True Hero': Vigil Honors Burlington Crossing Guard Killed Protecting Students From Car A Burlington City school crossing guard who died while saving two children's lives was honored as a hero for his selfless dedication to others and his vibrant presence. The city held a glow vigil in memory of Bruce Morlack on Sunday, Dec. 15, the City of Burlington Police Department said in a Facebook post. The 74-year-old man was struck by a car and killed while helping children cross Jacksonville Road on Friday, Dec. 6. Morlack's crossing guard uniform and stop sign were on display at the vigil. "The family extends their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during t…

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by Chris Spiker
Burlington, NJ
Obituaries
School Crossing Guard Dies Protecting Students In Burlington City Crash, Police Say School Crossing Guard Dies Protecting Students In Burlington City Crash, Police Say
School Crossing Guard Dies Protecting Students In Burlington City Crash, Police Say A Burlington City school crossing guard was killed while shielding two children from an oncoming car, authorities said. Bruce Morlack, 74, died in the crash on Friday, Dec. 6, the City of Burlington Police Department said in a news release. He was escorting two students across Jacksonville Road and James Street in a marked crosswalk when a 2015 Chrysler 200 struck him just after 7:20 a.m. In a letter to the school community, superintendent John Russell praised Morlack's heroic actions and offered support to students and families. "Our thoughts and prayers are with …

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by Chris Spiker
Suitland, MD
Obituaries
Family Looks To Give Suitland Father Of Two 'Lit' Service After Fatal Shooting In Maryland Family Looks To Give Suitland Father Of Two 'Lit' Service After Fatal Shooting In Maryland
Family Looks To Give Suitland Father Of Two 'Lit' Service After Fatal Shooting In Maryland Joseph "Joey" Holtz died a hero, his family says, now they are trying to rally the community to make his final wishes come true.  The 38-year-old Suitland man was fatally shot following a two-vehicle crash in Prince George's County over the weekend in the area of Suitland Road and Randolph Road in Morningside. "It’s with a heavy heart that we remember and honor Joey, known to so many as Rozay. Joey was taken from us by gun violence—not from street conflicts, but because he chose to protect others," Jamal Holtz said.  "Joey died being a hero. He was our hero, a true protector who …

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by Zak Failla
Wethersfield, CT
Obituaries
Hundreds Take Part In Funeral For Wethersfield Firefighter Killed Battling Blaze Hundreds Take Part In Funeral For Wethersfield Firefighter Killed Battling Blaze
Hundreds Take Part In Funeral For Wethersfield Firefighter Killed Battling Blaze Mourners lined the roads leading to the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford on Monday, Oct. 28, to pay their respects to Robert "Sharkey" Sharkevich Sr. His casket was carried by a fire engine that was preceded by a cadre of police vehicles. His casket, draped in an American flag, was carried to its final resting place by his family and the firefighters who served alongside him.  Sharkevich Sr., age 66, was a lifelong firefighter. He served with the Hartford Fire Department for 25 years and the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years.  Related Re…

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by Josh Lanier
Cliffside Park-Edgewater, NJ
Police & Fire
Volunteer Firefighter In Motorcycle Crash Thanks Edgewater Officers Who Helped Save His Life Volunteer Firefighter In Motorcycle Crash Thanks Edgewater Officers Who Helped Save His Life
Volunteer Firefighter In Motorcycle Crash Thanks Edgewater Officers Who Helped Save His Life The officers who responded to Tommy Quinton's motorcycle crash last month in Edgewater were the first responders anyone would want, he said. Quinton, 31, was heading to Hackensack on his Harley Davidson motorcycle when he lost control of the bike in the northbound lanes of River Road and collided with a southbound vehicle on Friday, Sept. 27 The volunteer firefighter and public works employee looked down and saw blood pouring out of his leg. He called out for help, and a Good Samaritan rushed over with a ratchet strap. Quinton tied it as tightly as he could. Minutes later, Officer Gillian…

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by Cecilia Levine
Deer Park, NY
News
Deer Park 'Hero' Dies Saving Drowning Child: 'Was Life Of Every Party' Deer Park 'Hero' Dies Saving Drowning Child: 'Was Life Of Every Party'
Deer Park 'Hero' Dies Saving Drowning Child: 'Was Life Of Every Party' Jamie Lambros died a hero. The 48-year-old New York resident, from Long Island's Deer Park, died Monday, Oct. 7, while trying to save a young boy and his mother in the waters of Bermuda. Lambros was enjoying a family vacation at Horseshoe Bay Beach when he noticed the 10-year-old boy struggling and went in after him, his friend, Chris Pompeo, said on Facebook. The child and his mother survived, but Lambros drowned. “In his final moments, Jamie showed the courage and selflessness that those who knew him will always remember,” relatives said on a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expens…

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by Michael Mashburn
Ossining, NY
News
First Responders Put Out Fire, Save Unconcious Woman From Ossining Home First Responders Put Out Fire, Save Unconcious Woman From Ossining Home
First Responders Put Out Fire, Save Unconcious Woman From Ossining Home Two heroes are being recognized for their quick-thinking actions that saved a woman's life and prevented her Northern Westchester home from being destroyed by a fire.  Joseph Abreau and Paul Mullin of the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps were honored by county officials for their rescue of an Ossining resident in mid-September, officials announced on Monday, Oct. 7.  According to county officials, on the day of the rescue, Abreau and Mullin responded to an Ossining residence and found a woman on the floor who had fainted. They also discovered that dark smoke was pourin…

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by Ben Crnic
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Dies Saving Two Children From Drowning In South Jersey River: Fundraiser Man Dies Saving Two Children From Drowning In South Jersey River: Fundraiser
Man Dies Saving Two Children From Drowning In South Jersey River: Fundraiser A Mays Landing man was remembered as a hero after dying while saving two children from drowning in the Great Egg Harbor River, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page said Pablo Hernandez Cruz died at Weymouth Furnace County Park in Hamilton Township on Wednesday, July 17. He was 49 years old, 6abc Action News reported.  Hernandez Cruz went into the river to help the children when they were struggling in the water. "As he went in and pushed them to safety, he was swept under and tragically wasn't able to resurface," wrote Joe Pagliuca, w…

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by Chris Spiker