Palisades Park officers honored for saving choking dinner guest, 82, from Old Tappan

SHOUT OUTS: A trio of Palisades Park police officers who rescued an 82-year-old woman choking on a piece of meat during a Christmas Eve 2014 dinner received life-saving awards from the mayor and council last night.

Photo Credit: *l. to r.): Police Chief Ben Ramos, Officer David Chun, Officer Theodore Christolias and his father, Mayor James Rotundo, Officer Alex Monteleone*

Jerry DeMarco

02/25/2015 1:24 p.m.

Borough Clerk Martin A. Gobbo’s aunt, Thelma Miller of Old Tappan, was on the kitchen floor, having difficulty breathing, when Officers Alessandro “Alex” Monteleone, Theodore Christolias and David Chun arrived at the West Edsall Avenue home.

Monteleone said he “attempted a sweep of the mouth…with my index finger but was unable to dislodge the piece.”

The officers then tapped her back and it came out.

An ALS unit arrived but Miller refused medical attention.

“We are very proud of these officers, who made a difference in someone’s life and the lives of her loved ones,” Police Chief Ben Ramos told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

PHOTO (l. to r.): Police Chief Ben Ramos, Officer David Chun, Officer Theodore Christolias and his father, Mayor James Rotundo, Officer Alex Monteleone

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