Police on Long Island honored for saving man's life who had heart attack

NASSAU COUNTY, Long Island (WABC) -- A man who had a heart attack on Long Island last month was able to thank the first responders who saved his life.

Phillip Amico went into cardiac arrest on St. Patrick's Day at the Old Westbury Diner on Glen Cove Road in Nassau County.

Three officers rushed to the restaurant and quickly saw that Amico had no pulse, and they acted to save his life.

"Whatever they did in the diner gave me the extra time to live," Amico said.

Officer John Kassebaum was the first one on the scene.

"When you have moments like this, it hits ya," Kassebaum said.

Amico could no longer breathe when the officer arrived.

"He stopped breathing and lost his pulse, so I knew I had to begin chest compressions," Kasebaum said.

Officer Kassnbaum got Amico on the floor and began administering CPR as backup arrived.

The other officers used a defibrillator on Amico.

"It's an important piece of equipment we carry, and in this case, it really proved its worth," Officer Michael Avelin said.

"Without them I'm not here, and that's really what it is," Amico said.

The 75-year-old says he doesn't remember much from the ordeal at the diner. He was taken to Winthrop hospital where he says he was revived twice.

On Monday, Amico thanked the officers who saved his life.

He says what's most important is that he can continue to enjoy his family, including his three children and 8 grandchildren.

The officers also got a lifesaving award from the department.

The wait staff says they are relieved the restaurant's regular is now recovering.

"We were very happy, happy to know that he was ok," Marlene Cerna, who works at the Old Westbury Diner, said.

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