Three Suffolk County law enforcement officers who saved a man’s life this fall will help carry a giant American flag at MetLife Stadium during the New York Jets’ annual First Responders Appreciation Day.
Correction Officers Sean Higgins and Travis Yacovone, along with Deputy Sheriff Dylan Hever, will join about 130 other first responders from across Long Island and the New York metropolitan area in unfurling the 150-by-100-foot flag during the National Anthem. The Jets will also honor roughly 500 first responders and their families attending the November 30 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The trio was recognized after saving Lenny Muzzillo, who collapsed during the Town of Brookhaven’s Senior Picnic on September 3. The officers performed CPR for more than seven minutes and used a defibrillator to restore his pulse. Muzzillo later underwent quadruple-bypass surgery and returned home just ten days later.
Sheriff Errol Toulon surprised the officers with the Jets invitation during what they believed was a training session. The announcement came from Steven Castleton, the team’s Military and First Responder Liaison.
“People usually do CPR for a few minutes before giving up,” Castleton said. “But these guys did it for more than seven minutes. They never gave up. Their quick thinking and professionalism saved a life.”
“I’m a big Jets fan,” Higgins said. “I’m kind of speechless right now.”
“Words can’t describe how I feel about this,” Hever added. “It will be an honor to hold the flag for our country. We do our job because we love doing it.”
“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.”
The Jets will also host their Salute to Service military-appreciation game on November 9 against Cleveland, honoring active-duty members, veterans, and Gold Star families.