Rookie Police Officer Revives Grammy-Winning Singer Near Suffern, NY

A fifth-generation rookie police officer managed to revive the veteran Metropolitan Opera singer when he became unresponsive in his home outside of Suffern, NY.

Officer Joseph Powderley Revives Veteran Opera Singer Richard Bernstein

Officer Joseph Powderley is a fifth-genreation police officer who just recently began riding solo after completing his field training on August 17th of this year. He entered the regular rotation three days later on August 20th. He responded to an emergency call where Veteran Metropolitan Opera singer and Grammy Award Winner Richard Bernstein was experiencing chest pains in his home.

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By the time Officer Powderley arrived at the home, the 57-year-old Bernstein had gone into cardiac arrest while in his master bedroom. The singer stopped breathing and was turning blue. Powderley placed Bernstein on the floor and began chest compressions. He followed that with shocks from a defibrillator, attached a breathing mask, and resumed compressions.

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Fortunately, after repeated compressions, Bernstein opened his eyes and resumed breathing. Backup officers and EMS arrived on the scene shortly after. Bernstein was then taken to The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood for further examination.

Opera Singer Richard Bernstein Offers Thank You to Officer Who Saved His Life

Last Friday, September 15th, Bernstein and his wife surprised Officer Powderley at the police station to thank him for his efforts in saving his life. “He’s a really nice guy – young, too,” Powderley said of Bernstein. “I’m glad I was able to help.” You can the photo of the two men reuniting here.

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Richard Bernstein, "One of America's Most Versatile and Gifted Basses"

Described by Daily Camera as "one of America's most versatile and gifted basses," Grammy Award Winning singer Richard Bernstein is internationally renowned for being one of the most outstanding singers of his generation. Acclaimed not only for the beauty and resonance of his voice, but also for his consummate stage abilities, he has taken his place among American singers who will ensure that the opera world is healthy and will flourish in this new millennium.

The Brooklyn-Born Bernstein has been a member of the Metropolitan Opera company since his debut in 1995. He has appeared with the MET in over 500 performances and over 125 international live broadcasts to date. He has sung leading roles with companies all around the world throughout his 30-year career.

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When describing Bernstein in his role of Leporello in the opera Don Giovanni, The New York Times said "The dynamic, robust-voiced bass, Richard Bernstein, brought more danger and volatility to the role of Leporello." Bernstein has also been heralded for his roles as Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Daland in Der fleigende Hollander, Tiresias in Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex and Herod in Berlioz's L'enfance du Christ.