Patrolman Brett Howard was on a routine traffic detail at Main and William when he heard the sounds of a woman screaming on Friday. At 12:46 p.m. on Feb. 15, Howard responded to the cries of Ekaterina Ortiz in the courtyard of 431 Main Street, arriving to find her in active labor.

Requesting an ambulance, Howard and Ortiz's husband, Jeffrey, assisted Ortiz into the house where she gave birth to an 8 lb., 4 oz. baby boy--Nicholas.  

Also responding to the scene were officers Kevin Kosuda, Chris Richter and the Fort Lee Ambulance Corps.

The healthy baby boy was transported with his mother by abmulance to Englewood Hospital.  

Howard is a decorated 14-year police veteran who transferred to the Fort Lee Police Department from the North Bergen Police Department in 2002. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.  

"The department is very proud of Police Officer Howard for his professionalism and the actions he took while helping a mother and a new Fort Lee resident," Bendul said. "Congratulations to the Ortiz family."

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