Hillsborough Police Officer a Lifesaver—Again

For the second time, Officer Craig Heindrichs has been honored by the Township Committee for saving a life.

Heindrichs responded on March 22 to a report of an unresponsive man in the engine of a train on a sliding in the Veterans Industrial Park off Route 206, according to a proclamation read by Mayor Carl Suraci at Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting.

When Heindrichs discovered the man had no pulse and was not breathing, he connected the man to a defibrillator and began CPR until the Hillsborough Rescue Squad arrived.

The man regained his pulse and the rescue squad took him to Somerville Medical Center in Somerville where, the following day, he was in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

This was not first time Heindrichs, vice president of the Hillsborough PBA, has been honored for his lifesaving efforts.

In February 2008, Heindrichs, with fellow officers David Fisher and John Bastardo and residents Jack Talpos and Jake Lauten, were honored for their lifesaving efforts when a township resident suffered a heart attack.

The proclamation to Heindrichs was one of three issued by the Township Committee on Tuesday evening.

Rachel Pallay, a junior at , was honored for being named “Gymnast of the Year” by an area newspaper. Pallay, who has been a gymnast since she was 4 years old, placed fourth in the all-around at the state championship and was the top scorer on the beam and vault in the team state final.

The Township Committee also proclaimed May 16 as Fifth Grade Colonial Day in the township.

On that day, students at will participate in a day of educational activities revolving around Colonial times.

Activities include writing with quills, making whirlygigs, churning butter and a presentation by the Old Barracks Fife and Drum Corps.