2001 Merit Performance Award
Act of Heroism

Mitchel S. Wallace
Court Officer, Queens Family Court

While commuting home on the Long Island Railroad last August 7th, Mark Ingberman went into cardiac arrest. Railroad personnel stopped the train and called the police. The conductor announced the situation to the other passengers and asked if anyone aboard the train had emergency medical training and could provide assistance to Mr. Ingberman.

Responding to the conductor’s plea for help, Court Officer Mitchel Wallace stepped forward, finding Mr. Ingberman collapsed on the floor of the train. Officer Wallace immediately noticed that the fallen man wasn’t breathing and didn’t have a pulse. Without a mask or any protective equipment, he began performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and applying chest compressions to the collapsed man. He continued with his resuscitation efforts for 15 minutes, until paramedics arrived with a defibrillator, to start Mr. Ingberman’s heart.

Mitchel didn’t stop there, but accompanied the ambulance to the hospital, and later met with the man’s family to narrate the story of how Mr. Ingberman had collapsed on the train. The physicians who treated Mark Ingberman credit Officer Wallace with saving his life.

Although he has worked in the courts for only a year, Officer Wallace has already gained a reputation for his excellent job performance. His actions this past August 7th reflect his fine character, which also comes through in his everyday approach to his job. Mitchel consistently demonstrates his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.

For his selfless efforts last August 7th and every other day, his ability to remain calm and clearheaded in an emergency, and his proactive approach to life, we are proud to honor Officer Mitchel Wallace with a 2001 Merit Performance Award for his act of heroism.