Local Police Officer Celebrated for Heroic Rescue of Choking Infant
Los Angeles – A police officer has been recognized for his quick actions in saving a choking infant. Corporal Greggory Cates of the Orange Police Department responded to an emergency involving a 7-month-old baby who had swallowed a hair clip.
On January 19, police received a call about the baby, who was not breathing and required immediate assistance. Cates acted swiftly, striking the baby on the back to dislodge the object blocking her airway. After a few deliberate pats, the hair clip was expelled, allowing the child to breathe and cry once more.
Corporal Cates noted that it took him approximately 30 to 40 seconds to perform the maneuver, marking his first attempt at the Heimlich procedure. "I haven’t had to do a Heimlich before on anyone before. I’ve performed CPR before on someone who had a heart attack. First time with a 7-month-old was very intense," he said. He added that as a parent himself, incidents like this are a constant concern, noting, "The mom did tell me all the hair clips are gone now."
In recognition of his lifesaving efforts, Corporal Cates was awarded the Life Saving Medal. The police department remarked, “When seconds matter, his swift response and professionalism made all the difference.”
