Boston Celtics honor Fall River police officers who saved man's life on Vermont ski slope
Two Fall River police officers who saved a man’s life while on a ski trip together were honored by the Boston Celtics recently.
Officers Garrett Nelson and Guy Furtado received an ovation from the crowd as they stood in the center of the TD Garden’s famous parquet floor, as part of the Celtics’ Heroes Among Us program.
In January, Nelson and Furtado were skiing at Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, making their final run of the day down a black diamond trail to meet friends at the lodge. On their way, they met a man in distress, William Polzun Jr. of Manchester, Connecticut. His son, Nathan Polzun, had collapsed while making a run.
The officers determined that Nathan wasn't breathing and had no pulse. Nelson called 911 and worked on getting the mountain rescue team to Nathan’s location while Furtado started doing chest compressions, directing Polzun on giving Nathan breaths.
Life-savers: Two Fall River cops saved a man's life while on a ski vacation. He thanked them in person.
By the time paramedics arrived 10 minutes later, Nathan was still unrevived. But their actions helped get paramedics find Nathan and his father, and get the two to a medical helicopter and to safety.
Nathan was later brought back to life and is making a recovery. He and his father traveled to Fall River in February to thank the officers in person.
Nelson and Furtado were guests of the Celtics for their April 14 home game against the Washington Wizards, which the C’s won 132-122.
The Heroes Among Us program was established in 1997 as a way for the Celtics to honor people at every home game “who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community,” according to NBA.com.
Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Boston Celtics: Lifesaver Fall River police officers are heroes
