MARLBORO — What started out as a time to celebrate a marriage quickly turned into a time to save a life.
Marlboro police officer David Ruditsky put his 20 years of emergency medical technician (EMT) training to use and helped to save a man’s life in November.
Ruditsky, 34, received a letter of commendation from the National Police Defense Foundation for his lifesaving efforts and he will be recognized at the organization’s 2009 awards dinner in April.
On a late November evening, Irving Levine, an NPDF associate member, was entering the Crystal Point Yacht Club, Point Pleasant, for a wedding reception when he fell to the ground after suffering a heart attack.
Ruditsky said he was entering the reception behind Levine and saw the man begin to collapse. Ruditsky said he and another guest were able to lift Levine and place him on nearby chairs.
He said it was at that time when he realized Levine was in cardiac arrest. He began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Levine and a Point Pleasant police officer arrived shortly thereafter with an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Ruditsky said he identified himself to the Point Pleasant police officer as an EMT and a police officer and then proceeded to shock Levine with the AED.
Ruditsky said his wife, Jenna, and her father, David Shapiro, both of whom are members of the Marlboro First Aid Squad, assisted him. They worked on Levine until an ambulance arrived and the paramedics took over. Levine was brought to Ocean Medical Center, Brick Township.
After Levine recovered he wrote a letter to NPDF founder and executive director Joseph Occhipinti and explained how Ruditsky’s quick actions helped save his life.
“If it had not been for the quick action taken by one of the guests in the lobby I would not be here to tell my story,” Levine wrote.
Ruditsky said his first aid training provides him with more confidence in situations when an individual is injured or ill.
Marlboro Police Chief Bruce E. Hall said the police department is proud of Ruditsky. He described the officer as an individual who has always exemplified the highest qualities and dedication.
Ruditsky lives with his family in Marlboro and has been employed with the Marlboro Police Department for nine years. Ruditsky joined the local first aid squad as a teenager and is currently a volunteer with the township’s Robertsville Fire Department.

