37°
Officer Victor Ortiz climbed down from the platform, grabbed 56-year-old Alan Jefferson of Elizabeth by the arms and began pulling -- but Jefferson resisted.
Eventually, Ortiz slid Jefferson off the tracks and out of harm's way.
"As the video clip depicts, Officer Ortiz, without regard for his own safety, was determined to save the individual’s life," NJ Transit officials said in a statement Sunday, "even as the man struggled against the officer’s efforts to pull him out of harm’s way [on Friday].
"Officer Ortiz’s selfless and heroic actions demonstrated a level of bravery and a true sense of compassion and purpose that often goes unrecognized but is ever present in our law enforcement community.
"NJ TRANSIT could not be more proud of Victor Ortiz and of the New Jersey Transit Police Department and we hope this serves as a stark reminder of what these men and women do every single day to keep us safe throughout this state.”
Jefferson, meanwhile, was evaluated at Jersey City Medical Center and then taken to the Hudson County Jail, charged with aggravated assault on police officer, two counts of resisting arrest and one count each of interference with transportation and disorderly conduct, said Jennifer Nelson, NJ Transit's director of media relations.
An initial court appearance was scheduled for Monday.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Hackensack and receive free news updates.
