MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – A man whose life was saved by quick reactions by Manchester police officers stopped by the department headquarters to thank his new guardian angels.
“On 3/16/2022 at approximately 3:00 p.m., John Macchia came to Manchester Police Headquarters hoping to meet, in-person the four officers, credited with saving his life less than a week ago,” Captain Vincent Manco said Thursday. “Mr. Macchia, a tow truck driver for Freedom Towing suddenly collapsed from a cardiac episode while working a crash scene on Thursday night at 10:38 p.m.”
According to a police report released last week, Ptl. Rickvalsky, Ptl. Steffen, Ptl. Brush and Ptl. Julian Meaney who were at the scene, immediately performed life-saving measures to include CPR and the utilization of an Automated External Defibrillator, ultimately saving his life.
“While at police headquarters, Mr. Macchia met Ptl. Rickvalsky and Ptl. Steffen in the department’s briefing room in the presence of Mr. Macchia’s sister and other members of the Manchester Police Department, to include Manchester Police Chief Robert Dolan,” Manco said in the statement. “Mr. Macchia shook their hands, expressing sincere gratitude for saving his life.”
“I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these officers.” Mr. Macchia said, although he was unable to meet Ptl. Julian Meaney or Ptl. Brush at the time as they were off-duty.