Off-duty Waltham Police officer saves overdose victim's life

SOUTH YARMOUTH, Mass. — An off-duty, veteran Waltham Police officer is being hailed a hero after he helped save the life of a woman who overdosed on drugs on a Cape Cod beach.

Paul Tracey, who has spent the past 23 years as a Waltham police officer, was on vacation with his family at Riviera Beach Resort in South Yarmouth around 5 p.m. Friday when his sister Maureen noticed a woman in distress.

Tracey and his cousin Cindy, a nurse from California who recently retired, rushed over and found the woman unresponsive and not breathing. They immediately began CPR, while nearby beach-goers called 911. Tracey’s brother ran to the resort’s front desk to see if they had a defibrillator, but by the time he got back about five minutes later, medics were arriving.

Yarmouth first responders administered the overdose-reversing drug Narcan to the woman and rushed her to the hospital. They, along with doctors, credit Tracey and his sister with saving the woman’s life.

Tracey said the woman appeared to be in her mid-20s and was with a group of people, including young children, who witnessed the life-saving rescue.

Tracey’s two young children were to be jet-skiing at the time with his wife Kristin, who is also a Waltham police officer. He’s thankful they didn’t have to witness his heroic intervention.

Tracey is no stranger to the opioid epidemic. He knew just what to do, but he’s grateful his cousin Cindy was with him.

“There’s strength in numbers,” Tracey told Boston 25 News.

Tracey noted Waltham Police and Fire respond to drug overdoses almost daily.

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