Holly MatkinSpringfield, MA – Dramatic bodycam footage captured the moment when two heroic Springfield police officers saved the life of a three-month-old girl who was choking (video below).
Springfield Police Officer Luis Rodriguez and Officer Christopher Charles were out on patrol in the area of Wilbraham Road at approximately 2 p.m. on May 9 when a vehicle suddenly pulled over and a frantic woman jumped out screaming for help, WGGB reported.
The officers immediately jumped into action.
“A woman got out of the vehicle and began screaming that her baby was not breathing,” Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood told WGGB. “Officers immediately ran to the vehicle and they found a three-month-old infant girl…pale, choking, gasping for air.”
Officer Charles grabbed the little girl from her child safety seat as Officer Rodriguez radioed for an ambulance.
Officer Charles then placed the baby face-down on his forearm and began patting her back in an attempt to clear her airway, Superintendent Clapprood said.
Bodycam footage showed the officers as they quickly worked to rescue the little girl while assuring her mother that her baby would be okay.
“Shortly after, the baby responded by crying and the officers observed a white liquid coming from the baby’s mouth,” the Springfield Police Department (SPD) said in a statement to WFXT.
When the infant finally began crying, Officer Charles let out an audible sigh of relief, the video showed.
The thankful mother began wailing as she clutched her child to her chest moments later.
“She’s okay, she’s okay,” the officers repeatedly assured her.
The little girl was transported to a local hospital and was released later that day, according to WGGB.
Officer Charles and Officer Rodriguez both graduated from the Springfield police academy in March and said they are thankful the training they’ve received prepared them to handle such a terrifying situation, WFXT reported.
“I have a very good partner beside me,” Officer Rodriguez told WGGB. “If it wasn’t for him…He did everything he could and luckily, the baby came out to be okay.”
Officer Charles, who has children of his own, said he simply relied on his training to help the choking baby.
“When someone is in distress, you are trained to react,” he said.
Superintendent Clapprood and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno praised the rookie officers for their swift actions, WGGB reported.
“This baby is alive because of Officer Charles and Officer Rodriguez’s efforts,” Sarno said.
Watch the incident unfold in the video below:
