Life Saved in Hackensack: Police Officers’ Rapid Response Revives 78-Year-Old in Cardiac Arrest
photo courtesy of the Hackensack Police Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, A routine Wednesday in Hackensack nearly turned tragic on March 4, 2026, if not for the elite training and split-second decisions of the Hackensack Police Department.
When a 78-year-old male collapsed at the Midtown Bridge Approach, four local officers transformed from patrolmen into lifesavers, successfully resuscitating the patient before he even reached the hospital.
The Rescue: Advanced Medical Training in Action
The call came in as a report of a fall and subsequent cardiac arrest. Officers from both the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and the Patrol Bureau arrived on the scene to find the elderly man unresponsive.
The responding team included:
-
Officer Ryan Conlon (ESU / Certified EMT)
-
Officer Frank Caneja (ESU / Certified EMT)
-
Officer Jems Peralta (Patrol Bureau)
-
Officer Robert Oropeza (Patrol Bureau)
Utilizing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), a bag-valve-mask, and emergency oxygen, the officers initiated a high-stakes resuscitation effort. Thanks to their advanced medical certifications, they were able to restore the patient’s pulse on-site.
A Masterclass in Interdepartmental Cooperation
While the police officers initiated the life-saving measures, Chief Michael Antista noted that the success of the operation relied on the seamless “cohesion” between Hackensack’s emergency branches. The patient’s care was eventually transitioned to:
-
The Hackensack Fire Department
-
Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) ALS/BLS Teams
“Interdepartmental cooperation and cohesion are at the heart of successful emergency services operations,” the department stated. “These officers exemplify what it means to be part of the Hackensack Police Department.”
Why EMT Training Matters for Police
This incident highlights a growing trend in New Jersey law enforcement: The Dual-Certified Officer. While all Hackensack officers are CPR-trained, many—like Conlon and Caneja—maintain full EMT certifications. In a cardiac emergency, where every second reduces the chance of survival by 10%, having an officer with advanced medical knowledge can be the difference between life and death.
SEO & Discovery Metadata
-
Google Discover Headlines: * Heroic Save: Hackensack Officers Revive 78-Year-Old After Cardiac Arrest.
-
How Advanced EMT Training Helped Hackensack Police Save a Life This Week.
-
Miracle at Midtown Bridge: Police Resuscitate Elderly Man in Hackensack.
-
-
Keywords: Hackensack Police Department, Ryan Conlon, Frank Caneja, cardiac arrest save Hackensack, NJ police EMT, Midtown Bridge Hackensack, AED rescue New Jersey.
-
Tags: #HackensackNJ #BergenCounty #PoliceNews #LifeSavers #CommunityHeroes #PublicSafety #CPRSuccess
