Crime & Safety

Police Captain to be Honored at White House for Dramatic Rescue

Mark McGrath saved Officer Bob Franco's life after a tree fell on his vehicle during superstorm Sandy.

Police Capt. Mark McGrath, who helped save Officer Bob Franco’s life the night of superstorm Sandy, will be honored for his heroic act at the White House on Saturday.

McGrath will be one of more than 40 officers from nine states, and the only one from New Jersey, that President Obama will honor as a National Association of Police Organizations Top Cop.

McGrath crawled under live wires and wedged himself into a small space in Franco’s vehicle after an oak tree fell on top of it, pinning Franco inside. The tree also pinned Assistant Company 5 Fire Chief John Neukem inside his vehicle. Franco was out responding to a ruptured gas line.

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“I felt him, I heard him go to work,” Franco said in a news release issued by the White House. “The whole time he was saying, ‘I’ve got you pal.’ ”

McGrath kept talking to Franco, reassuring him that help was on the way. Seeing that Franco’s bulletproof vest was blocking his airway, McGrath loosened the vest; 45 minutes later he led a rescue team that pulled Franco from the vehicle.

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“Capt. McGrath maintained composure under pressure by putting others’ lives before his own,” the statement said. “This is the stuff Top Cops are made of and Capt. McGrath has them all, in spades.”

Franco continues to steadily recovery from the accident. He hopes to make a return to light duty this year. 

"It is a long recovery and he has made tremendous improvements," said Police Chief John Reardon. "He is an inspiration to all of us."

McGrath could not be reached for comment.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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