Woodbridge, NJ police officer saved man hit by lightning

Earlier this week we brought you the story of the Woodbridge public worker who was hit by lightning while lining the soccer field at Iselin Middle School.

Woodbridge lightning strike 6/14/23 (ABC 7 Chicago via Youtube)

Eric Baumgartner, 39, is lucky to be alive after a bolt of lightning struck him just after noon this past Wednesday. Thankfully his co-worker was on the field and immediately called 9-1-1.

Officer Robert "RJ" McPartland from the Woodbridge Police Department happened to be nearby and was able to respond immediately. Turns out RJ was a firefighter and EMT before joining the police force and was ready and able to resuscitate the victim.

When Officer McPartland found Eric Baumgartner he had burns on his hands and no pulse. Thanks to the quick reaction, training, and composure of the police officer, a tragedy was avoided.

Woodbridge police officer Robert "RJ" McPartland and Mayor John McCormac (Fox 5 New York)

Officer McPartland exemplifies the professionalism and dedication to duty that is represented daily by the Woodbridge PD and cops across New Jersey.

NJ's crazy haze, choking smoke, and sinister sky

Canadian wildfire smoke affecting New Jersey in 2023.

Gallery Credit: Dan Zarrow

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The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Spadea. Any opinions expressed are Bill's own. Bill Spadea is on the air weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., talkin’ Jersey, taking your calls at 1-800-283-1015.

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Places in NJ where gun owners have sued to carry a legal gun

New Jersey passed its own law in December, trying to ban legal guns from “sensitive places.”

A federal judge found many of those spots to be legally protected on grounds of armed self-defense, noting in her opinion, “Crowded locations are not sensitive places."

As of June, a federal appeals court granted the state attorney general's request to keep part of the law that bars people from carrying handguns in “sensitive places” in effect.

The decision means handguns cannot be carried in places such as zoos, public parks, public libraries and museums, bars, and health care facilities.

The law bars handguns from being carried in those places as well as schools and child care facilities. The lower court's May injunction did not specify those locations, and the appeals court also didn't remove the prohibition in those places.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt & The Associated Press

Filed Under: Blue Friday, Woodbridge

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