NJ Transit Officer Who Saved Man on Tracks Says He Was Just Doing ‘His Job’

After risking his own life to save a man from being run down by a train, a New Jersey transit officer is being hailed as a hero. However, officer Victor Ortiz says he was just doing his job.

The incident, captured on video, shows an unidentified man lying across train tracks with the headlights of a locomotive barreling ever closer. Ortiz comes into picture and struggles to move the man, who had a significant size advantage on the officer. The officer refused to quit however, describing his motivation to Today.

“I was bracing for the worst, you know, but hoping for the best. In my mind I was like, this is not going to happen, not while I’m here. I’m going to do what I can to pull this guy through,” said Ortiz.

https://youtu.be/32ukArHlI14

Ortiz was able to gather enough strength to pull the man from the tracks, saving both of their lives with only seconds to spare.

While he’s been lauded for his actions, Ortiz simply views them as something he had to do.

“Had I just stood there and done nothing, again, I wouldn’t be able to bear that thought in my mind,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz reiterated the same point when the unnamed man apologized for his actions and thanked the officer saving his life, saying, “He goes, ‘I didn’t mean to do what I did,’ and I told him at that point, ‘Well, that’s my job. My job is to protect and serve.'”