Todd Welch is a name that resonates with countless residents of Newtown Square. Known for his unwavering dedication to community service, Todd has spent nearly three decades protecting and serving his neighbors—as a Newtown Township Police Officer for 29 years, and also as a longtime volunteer with the Newtown Square Fire Company.
This past summer, in a dramatic twist of fate, it wasn’t Todd who responded to an emergency—it was he who needed saving. On August 9, Todd and his wife, Devlin were enjoying a relaxing day at New Hampshire Avenue Beach in Atlantic City when he suffered a medical emergency. While boogie boarding in waist-deep water, Todd suddenly collapsed, experiencing what would later be confirmed as a heart attack.
Devlin’s immediate calls for help alerted the lifeguards on duty— Kevin Wallace and Lt. Kyle Deroo of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol—who sprang into action with the kind of speed and precision that only comes from rigorous training.
Todd explained that he had been short of breath and then collapsed on the board and couldn’t stand. His condition quickly deteriorated, and when they brought him to shore, his heart stopped. “The team deployed an AED, delivered a shock and initiated CPR,” he said. “After a few compressions in, I regained consciousness and started talking.”
What happened to Todd not only highlights the importance of swimming near lifeguard stands but also underscores how quickly life can change—even for those used to being the ones who save others. “I had a few symptoms the day before this happened,” he recalled. “I noticed shortness of breath when I was running and chest pains. Then when I was surfing, it really caught up with me.”
Todd emphasized just how fortunate he was to have two amazing lifeguards. “This was training in action at its finest,” he said. “By quickly administering CPR and using the AED (automated external defibrillator), they not only doubled my chance of survival, they also prevented brain damage.” After recovering, Todd reached out to the beach patrol with a heartfelt thank-you email and then met up with them in person. “As someone who’s part of the EMS system myself, I understand what it’s like when you help someone and often wonder later how they are doing,” he said. “When I met them later, it was a real full-circle moment.”
Todd’s entire life has been defined by service. A native of Newtown Square and a 1989 graduate of Marple Newtown High School, he began volunteering with the NS fire department in 1988. After high school, he entered the police academy and was hired by Newtown Township in 1996.
His passion to serve the community hasn’t waned over the years. “We train often, and we’re prepared for the next big emergency.” Todd has also participated in the Police Unity Tour, a four-day, 270-mile bike ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. You can read more about Todd and the Police Unity Tour in the January 2024 issue of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors at NewtownSquareMag.com.The tour raises money and awareness for the families of fallen law enforcement officers and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum.
We thank Todd for sharing his story with us. It’s a reminder that even heroes need saving sometimes. It also shines a light on the often-unsung heroes who guard our beaches, serve in our community and respond to calls every day—not for recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do.