File Photo
Hero cops Brian Coffey (l.) and John Maderik with the residents they saved in July.
By Michael V. Cusenza
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) on Tuesday honored two 106th Precinct cops for their heroic efforts in saving an elderly woman, her 2-year-old grandson, and a dog from their burning home this summer.
Neighborhood Coordination Officers John Maderik and Brian Coffey received framed proclamations from Ulrich during the ceremonial portion of the City Council Stated Meeting at City Hall.
“It is an honor and a privilege to recognize Officers Maderik and Coffey for such a selfless act of bravery,” the councilman said.
On July 20, Maderik and Coffey ran into the burning building after a passing motorist alerted them to the fire. Once the officers made it upstairs they found the grandmother disoriented in a smoky room looking for her belongings.
The veteran cops rushed the woman, toddler, and dog out of the home and to safety. Maderik and Coffey then ran back inside and kicked down an apartment door to ensure nobody was left behind.
“When you’re up there, you can’t see what’s going on,” Maderik said at the time. “In the first couple of seconds, smoke gets in your lungs and it becomes very difficult to breathe. We had to get in and out of there pretty quickly.”
