Off-duty officer saves goalie who went into cardiac arrest before hockey game

HACKENSACK, New Jersey (WABC) -- An off-duty officer attending a hockey game in Hackensack jumped into action when one of the goalies collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.

Oradell Police Officer Frank Stefano is proof that being a cop is a 24/7 job.

They regularly undergo CPR and AED training.

And after almost a decade on the job, he's had to spring into action several times.

But never while off duty, until last night.

Stefano plays in a hockey league at the Ice House in Hackensack.

During warm-ups, the opposing team's goalie collapsed after being dizzy and nauseous.

He was alert and conscious, but within minutes, the goalie was not breathing and went into cardiac arrest.

That's when Stefano's training kicked in.

"A person will turn white, almost grey, you know, their skin tone is completely flushed. He was unresponsive, not breathing. He didn't have a pulse and then I quickly started CPR test compressions at that time," Stefano said.

His wife called 911 and screamed for someone to grab the AED off the wall.

Stefano shocked him once.

"Gave him another shock and resumed chest compressions, and he shortly came back to us again. He started blinking his eyes and I started asking him, 'What's your name, what's your name?' He was able to with some trouble, he was able to tell me what his name was," Stefano said.

He said seconds matter.

The goalie is recovering in the hospital and is grateful to Officer Stefano for saving his life.

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