Bronx court officer, EMT celebrated as a ‘lifesaver’ on his last day
(scroll down for videos from Bronx 12 News)
Bronx Supreme Court Officer David Fliegelman, center, with his wife Elix, left, and daughter Dakota, is all smiles during his last day on the job.
A Bronx court officer who’s been a real lifesaver is walking off into the sunset.
Dozens of David Fliegelman’s colleagues and admirers lined up to honor the Senior Court Officer on his final day at Bronx Supreme Court-Civil Term after nearly four decades on the job.
Fliegelman, 62, told fellow officers, court staff and union officials gathered on the courthouse steps that serving alongside them was “a privilege.”
“It was never working coming to this courthouse,” said Fliegelman, who spent 32 years in the Bronx after serving six years as a Corrections officer.
Colleagues noted the court cop was a certified EMT whose medical savvy came in handy in key moments. He and two other officers once helped save a court employee who had gone into cardiac arrest, they said. The long-time officer and others frantically continued CPR compressions on the woman until doctors were able to save her.
His status as both a court officer and certified EMT influenced at least one colleague to do the same — and helped save a life.
-
An honor guard salutes Fliegelman and his family.
-
Fliegelman once revived a co-worker who went into cardiac arrest while on the job.
Court Officer Jose Reyes, who put his heroics to work when he saved the life of a 2-year-old girl who had a sudden seizure outside the courthouse in 2011, said it was Fliegelman who inspired him to get medical training.
“I saw how he interacted with people, and it inspired me to become an EMT myself,” Reyes told the Daily News.
Union leaders touted Fliegelman as a tireless advocate with the Supreme Court Officers Association.
Court officials said they had never seen such a display of support on an officer’s last day in decades.
“But then again, Officer Fliegelman was not like most court officers,” said Doug McKeon, the court’s chief administrative judge.
Longtime Bronx court officer retires
Video from Bronx 12 News
[KGVID]http://www.nysscoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2101508260027767721_2174829.mp4[/KGVID]
Supreme Court Officer credited with saving lives retires
Video and article from Bronx 12 News
[KGVID]http://www.nysscoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2101508260027773121_2175387.mp4[/KGVID]
Senior Court Officer David Fliegelman worked at the Bronx Supreme Court for 32 years, but he was also an EMT who saved lives in the courthouse complex. (8/26/15)
THE BRONX – A court officer from the Bronx received a special sendoff ahead of his retirement Wednesday.
Senior Court Officer David Fliegelman worked at the Bronx Supreme Court for 32 years, but he was also an EMT who saved lives in the courthouse complex.
He also spent six years serving as a corrections officer.
Co-workers say he stands out conspicuously, comparing him to Mickey Mantle.
Family members say they don’t expect Fliegelman to slow down at all after he retires.