One minute, Lenny Muzzillo was dancing away at a senior picnic in Middle Island; the next, he collapsed from a massive coronary. That’s when nearby Suffolk sheriff’s deputies and correction officers sprang into action. After administering several jolts from a defibrillator and performing CPR for more than seven minutes, they brought him back to life.
Everyone involved in the dramatic rescue gathered Tuesday at Muzzillo’s Middle Island home, along with his grateful family and Sheriff Errol Toulon, to celebrate the miracle.
“I’m thankful to everyone who saved me,” Muzzillo told reporters assembled in his living room. “They did a fantastic job and I’ll never forget what they did for me.”
Posing before the cameras with Muzzillo were his saviors—Correction Officers Sean Higgins and Travis Yacovone and Deputy Sheriff Dylan Hever. “They were in the right place at the right time and acted quickly to save his life,” Sheriff Toulon said. “I’m glad he’s okay.”
Muzzillo’s sister, Diane Summerfold, received a call from the Longwood Estate, where the Brookhaven Town–sponsored event was being held. “When you hear they’re doing CPR, it’s not good,” said the trained emergency medical technician. “You expect the worst.”
After the life-saving trio restored a pulse, with assistance from town Public Safety personnel, Muzzillo was transported to the hospital, where he underwent quadruple-bypass surgery. He was home and back on his feet in just ten days.
“Lenny’s doing remarkably well,” said his brother-in-law, Marty Summerfold. “He’s up and down the stairs a few times a day as part of his therapy. We’re all so grateful they were able to save his life and get him back home.”
“It’s wonderful to see everyone again,” said Muzzillo, who remembers waking up in the ambulance, but nothing before that. “I’m glad they were there when I needed them the most.”