Westville officers
save man overboard
Westville Local 122 members Michael DeNick and Erik
Hibbs took life-saving actions on Aug. 25 after being dispatched to Big Timber Creek to assist a kayaker in distress.
Upon arrival, the officers found the kayaker floating down-
stream, beginning to submerge after getting caught in trees
along the creek bank.
DeNick and Hibbs secured their duty belts and body armor
and descended from the Route 130 bridge to the river before
jumping in to untangle the man from the branches. The officers pulled him to shore, where he began coughing up water.
“Had he spent a few more minutes in the water, he may not
have survived,” surmised Lieutenant Mike Packer. “Big Timber
Creek is known for its strong and unsettled water current.”
The victim was transported to Inspira Health Network for
treatment, where he made a full recovery.
“Hibbs’ and DeNick’s brave and courageous actions that day
saved the man’s life while risking their own,” confided Packer.
“Both officers truly define the saying, ‘Service before self.’” d
70
NEW JERSEY COPS
■
NOVEMBER 2015