New Bedford Cop Awarded for Saving Woman’s Life at Market Basket

NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford Police Department is recognizing one of it's own for his recent life-saving actions.

Sgt. Michael Cassidy, a 24-year veteran of the New Bedford Police Department and a Marine, was shopping at Market Basket on August 31 when he was informed of a cashier suffering from a medical emergency.

Sgt. Cassidy made his way to the woman who was found slumped over her cash register and not breathing. Sgt. Cassidy, a licensed CPR instructor, immediately administered CPR to the woman.

Sgt. Cassidy's actions kept the woman alive while EMS responded to the scene and used a defibrillator to revive the woman.

New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro says he couldn't be more proud of Sgt. Cassidy.

"I'm very proud to celebrate that that cashier is still alive today due to his initial efforts," said Chief Cordeiro. "We're extremely proud of him."

Sgt. Cassidy said he didn't think twice on that day, and acted as he hopes anyone with the proper training would.

"It's just something that being a basic human being is what you do. You see somebody in distress and you go there and you help them," said Cassidy. "I just happened to have the training and just went and helped another human being who was in distress."

The woman continues to recover.

This is Sgt. Cassidy's third time receiving the life-saving award from the New Bedford Police Department.