Police Praised for Saving Man's Life at New York Diner

Officers performed CPR and used a defibrillator to revive 75-year-old Phillip Amico after he went into cardiac arrest.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:25pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph showing the intricate internal structure of a human heart, glowing with energy against a dark background, conceptually representing the critical role of emergency medical care.An X-ray view of a human heart reveals the life-saving work of first responders during a cardiac emergency.Old Westbury Today

Fast-acting police officers in Old Westbury, New York, are being hailed as heroes after saving a man who was suffering cardiac arrest at a local diner last month. The officers sprang into action, performing CPR and using a defibrillator to revive 75-year-old Phillip Amico, who had stopped breathing and had no pulse. Amico later met with the officers and thanked them, saying "without them, I'm not here."

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of having well-trained first responders who can quickly identify and respond to medical emergencies. Their swift actions likely saved Amico's life, underscoring the critical role police can play in providing life-saving care in emergency situations.

The details

Police officers were called to the Old Westbury Diner on March 17 to address Amico's medical emergency. When they arrived, they found the 75-year-old unresponsive with no pulse. Officer John Kassebaum immediately began administering CPR, while other officers used a defibrillator to revive Amico. After the successful resuscitation, Amico was able to speak and breathe on his own.

  • On March 17, police responded to the medical emergency at the Old Westbury Diner.
  • Three weeks later, Amico met with the officers who saved his life and thanked them.

The players

Phillip Amico

A 75-year-old man who suffered cardiac arrest at the Old Westbury Diner and was revived by the quick actions of police officers.

Officer John Kassebaum

A police officer with the Old Westbury Police Department who immediately began administering CPR to Amico.

Old Westbury Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the medical emergency and whose officers saved Amico's life.

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What they’re saying

“It's emotional because without them, I'm not here. The most important thing to me is how these people responded. A minute here, a minute there, I would be dead.”

— Phillip Amico

“It was a miraculous recovery to get to the scene of someone who was completely unresponsive, to going through that entire process to being able to speak.”

— Stuart Cameron, Old Westbury Chief of Police

“A grandfather. It's great to see. It means a lot. It's kind of what we all signed up to do. I became a police officer to help people and I got to do that.”

— Officer John Kassebaum

What’s next

The Old Westbury Police Department plans to present awards to the officers involved in the life-saving response for their heroic actions.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the vital role that well-trained first responders can play in saving lives during medical emergencies. The quick thinking and decisive actions of the Old Westbury police officers likely made the difference between life and death for Phillip Amico.