MEA is extremely proud of our longstanding member, Marie Delus, on being recognized by Mayor Eric Adams for her act of bravery in helping to rescue a man from the subway tracks.
During rush hour on a Wednesday evening in April, Marie reached her train platform to find a man, later identified as “Deuce”, on the tracks. Though she arrived after the incident that led him there, other passengers who stopped the incoming train and later helped her to bring Deuce back to safety informed her that he had jumped.
Marie waited with Deuce until EMS help arrived. In her conversation with him after the incident, Deuce appears to have been unaware that he was on the track and needed rescuing.
Marie filmed both the rescue and subsequent conversation (seen in this CBS article) and says that she intended to use it as a means of signaling to city officials the importance of better mental health resources. “We need to do more. What does that look like? What does that mean? Why was Deuce on the track? And what happens to him after that? Once he leaves and they take him away, are they gonna release him again? Will Deuce be back on the track again?”
On November 25, Marie met with the Mayor to celebrate her heroism. You can view the video of the award ceremony, in which Marie provides further detail of the rescue and highlights the efforts of the other brave New Yorkers involved, here.
Marie, the MEA thanks you for your service to your fellow NYers both in and out of the office! We are honored to be your advocate!
Do you or a fellow MEA member have a recent achievement to share? Email us at info [@] nycmea.org – we love to highlight our members.
