02/26/2026
February 26, 2026
Members of the Andover Township Police Department were honored last night at the Heart and Soul Event hosted by the Newton Medical Center Foundation, where they received the prestigious Scott Danielson Heart of Saving Lives Award.
The recognition stemmed from two separate incidents in which officers responded swiftly to medical emergencies involving cardiac arrest. In both cases, officers immediately initiated high-quality CPR and deployed an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), actions that were critical in stabilizing the patients prior to the arrival of advanced medical personnel. Both patients walked out of the hospital and are alive and well today!
This award highlights not only the officers’ rapid response and composure under pressure, but also the exceptional level of training, preparedness, and competency they bring to medical emergencies. The department places a strong emphasis on ongoing, scenario-based training to ensure officers are proficient in lifesaving techniques such as CPR and AED use. Their commitment to maintaining these skills allows them to act decisively and effectively when seconds matter most.
Equally important to these successful outcomes was the seamless teamwork and cooperation with our regional medical partners, including Atlantic Health EMS and St. Clare's ALS. The coordinated efforts between responding officers, EMS personnel, and advanced life support providers ensured continuity of care and the highest standard of treatment for the patients involved.
The Andover Township Police Department’s dedication to professional development, interagency collaboration, and public safety continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the community members they serve.
Heart & Soul / Newton Medical Center Foundation
Heart & Soul began in 2014 to honor the incredible accomplishments of the first responders and emergency personnel who provide exemplary life-saving care to members of our community. In addition to honoring pre-hospital emergency service and hospital providers, the event also recognizes and supports the Foundation’s Automated External Defibrillator Program (AED) program.
The Newton Medical Center Foundation’s AED Program was launched in 2001 with the goal of providing lifesaving AEDs, training, and education at a reduced cost to organizations in the hospital’s service area.
Since its inception, the program has distributed more than 1,100 AEDs to the community, trained more than 7,000 individuals, and has aided in saving over 83 lives in the Newton and Hackettstown medical center communities – four in the last year alone.
