Heroic Cop Who Rescued Teen From Burning Home Honored By Islip Town

ISLIP, NY — Nassau County Police Officer Richard Mosback was "in the right place at the right time" when he rescued an 18-year-old neighbor dangling from the window of a burning house in Sayville on April 3.

On Thursday, Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter announced that the Islip Town Board honored Mosback for his "courageous actions" at the May Town Board Meeting.

“Richard Mosback's heroic actions and unwavering determination to help a neighbor in need, even in the face of imminent danger, saved a life and prevented further tragedy. His exceptional courage serves as a reminder to us all that heroes walk among us every day,” said Carpenter. “On behalf of myself and the Town Board, we extend our sincerest gratitude to Richard Mosback for his extraordinary bravery and commitment to the safety and well-being of others.”

When the rescue happened, Mosback was off-duty at home in Sayville. He'd just laid his son down for a nap when he noticed smoke billowing from a home across the street and sprang into action, dashing over to the home where he found 18-year-old West Sayville Volunteer Firefighter AJ Spitzfaden dangling from a second-floor window, according to the Town of Islip.

With smoke preventing an indoor rescue, Mosback asked a nearby contractor to call 911 and ran home to grab a ladder. Back at the burning house, Mosback rescued Spitzfaden shortly before the fire intensified.

While Mosback was taken to an area hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, Spitzfaden did not require medical attention, police said. However, the family lost their dog in the fire.