Mark Goggin, Maria Budd Honored for Child Rescue

West Deptford resident Mark Goggin and Green-Fields school nurse Maria Budd, who last year were honored by the township for their roles in the rescue of a drowning child, were again distinguished last month at the county level.

Goggin and Budd received joint commendations from the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, PBA, FOP and Police Chiefs Association as "Life-Saving Civilians" and "Civilians of the Year."

Goggin's son Conor, who told West Deptford Patch about the story, said his father was proud of the acknowledgment, but too modest to share the details of the event.

The two families, which are longtime friends, he said, had been socializing together one afternoon when they heard a scream from the child's party next door.

Budd and Mark Goggin "jumped up and went right to action," Conor Goggin said.

"She had no pulse," he said.

Thanks to Budd's nursing training and Mark Goggin's experience in rescue breathing from his time as a former Woodbury volunteer firefighter, the pair were able to revive her.

"It was such a relief seeing the girl okay, and my dad being almost stunned," Conor Goggin said.

After the incident, Conor Goggin said, the girl's family "sent pictures of her in the hospital playing with dolls and princesses" to thank her rescuers and let them know she was on the mend.

"I feel honored to have him as my dad," Conor Goggin said. "I can't even put into words how proud I am of my dad and Mrs. Budd."

The child made a full recovery, he said, and the story of how she was saved is something that the Goggin family will treasure forever.

"It's an amazing thing that was done," Conor Goggin said. "It will never be forgotten."