PATERSON, NJ – A Paterson police officer risked his life in the middle of the night to rescue a woman drifting toward the 77-foot drop at the Great Falls.
The incident happened around 12:31 a.m. on July 28, less than 100 yards from the precipice, when Officer Eric El-Zind entered the dark, debris-filled Passaic River to reach the woman. He managed to secure her until other officers and Paterson firefighters arrived to assist.
El-Zind, who joined the department in 2022, was credited with preventing a near tragedy during the high-risk rescue. For his courage and commitment to protecting life Officer El-Zind has been named the July 2025 Officer of the Month.
Authorities have not released the woman’s name or her condition.