Photo by Ray Smith Wallington Mayor Walter Wargacki and Police Commissioner Stephen Adzima honor Police Officer Greg Dudzic at a recent council meeting.

By Ray Smith / Reporter

WALLINGTON (July 29, 2010) — When Wallington Police Officer Greg Dudzic heard the call from the dispatcher, it was not an ordinary incident.

The report was a choking victim on Wallington Avenue, and for the first time in his almost eight years on the force, Dudzic would be the first on scene to handle this type of situation.

“You get the call and start thinking about the ‘what ifs’,” Dudzic said. “You start preparing for either scenario and just prepare to try and administer the best first aid and CPR that you can.”

Riding without a partner on board and being just down the street from the incident, Dudzic sped to the scene and arrived within a matter of seconds.

He recalls entering the home to panic, as a female yelled to Dudzic that the choking man was turning blue.

Dudzic thought back to his training and immediately intervened.

“I reached down, wrapped my arms around him and performed abdominal thrusts to try and loosen anything out of his airway,” Dudzic said.

The man was saved because of Dudzic’s work.

On Thursday, July 22, Dudzic was honored at the Wallington Borough Council meeting.

Dudzic received congratulatory words and praise from Mayor Walter Wargacki and Police Commissioner Stephen Adzima before being presented with a proclamation plaque for his service.

Dudzic stated that he is not only thankful for being honored at the meeting, but also for the health and safety of the Wallington resident he saved.

Even after the proclamation and mini ceremony, Council President Katherine Polten thanked Dudzic for his heroics.

“Thank you to Officer Dudzic for the work he’s done,” Polten said. “He’s an exemplary officer.”

It’s safe to say that June 18, the date of the incident, was a special day for the veteran officer.

“Any time you can save a life it doesn’t get any better than that,” Dudzic said.

Dudzic’s deed has earned him praise from many in the community, including Police Capt. Stanley Kisala.

“I’m very proud of the work that Greg did,” Kisala said “He kept his cool and kept his composure. He remembered his training instinctively and did what he was supposed to do.”

In addition to a proclamation celebrating Dudzic, he was also awarded with a lifesaver pin, placed on his uniform by Wargacki.

“Greg is an asset to our department,” Kisala said. “The community should be proud to have him as a police officer.”

Call Ray at 201-438-8700