Brick Township officer jumps into frigid river to save suicidal woman

BRICK TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- When Brick Township Police Officer James Albanese looks at the frigid water of the Metedeconk River, he thinks of the suicidal woman he managed to save.

It was the morning of December 29th when he pulled his cruiser into Windward Beach Park and was told by a frightened visitor there was a woman in the water near the dock trying to take her life.

"Going in the water, didn't even think twice. The adrenaline was flowing and I knew I had to do what I had to do," Albanese said.

Albanese stripped off his belt, gun and other gear then radioed dispatch for help. He grabbed a life jacket, ran back to the beach and jumped into the 44-degree water.

"By the time I got to her I was already past neck-deep and I actually swam another 5 yards to reach her. Once I was able to get my feet back underneath me, I carried her the rest of the way," Albanese said.

A small army of cops, paramedics and EMTs were waiting at the shoreline to begin reviving the passed-out victim.

Police aren't releasing the woman's name, but she's expected to survive all because Officer Albanese responded instantly in a life or death situation.

"And that was a lady who came to shore with water bubbling out of her mouth, unconscious," Brick Township Sgt. John Talty said. "He's just a great guy and on this particular day God put him at the right place at the right time."

A three-year veteran of the department with years of water rescue training, Officer Albanese is getting lots of pats on the back, but doesn't consider himself a hero.

"I am not thinking that it's heroic. It's what I signed up to do and what I expect anyone else to do and I know any another officer in the Brick Township Police Department would have done the exact same thing," Albanese said.