Two Stagehands Hailed as Heroes for Rescuing Woman

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (August 13, 2024) - Two stagehands at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center are being hailed as heroes after helping to rescue a distraught woman in July.

Tommy Williamson and Andre Penn were leaving work around 1 a.m. in July when they discovered a young woman on the edge of the Morris Street Parking Deck with a rope tied around her neck. Without hesitation, the pair sprang into action to save her life.

As the woman began to lose consciousness, Williamson climbed onto the deck's awning to reach her from below while Penn supported her from above. New Brunswick police officers soon arrived and assisted in freeing the woman, who was then transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment and evaluation.

Police Chief Vincent Sabo honored Williamson and Penn with plaques at a ceremony at police headquarters. He praised their bravery and selfless actions, contrasting their heroism with the concerning trend of bystanders recording incidents instead of intervening.

"You stepped up, and you did something, and you didn't have to do anything except call 911," Sabo said. "You not only did that, you went above and beyond."

Officers Lenny Fierro, Deanna Maldonado and Carley Pilkington, who were also recognized with certificates, dashed in to help.

The woman's identity has not been released, and her condition is unknown.

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