SPRINGFIELD — Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood and the Springfield Police Department are today releasing body-worn camera footage of two officers who helped a choking baby while working a detail assignment on Monday.
On Monday, May 9 at approximately 2 p.m., Officers Christopher Charles and Luis Rodriguez — who both graduated as part of the most recent Springfield Police Academy class in April 2021 — were working a detail assignment at the intersection of Bradley Road and Wilbraham Road when a vehicle approached the work zone.
A woman got out of the vehicle and began screaming that her baby wasn’t breathing. Officers immediately ran to the vehicle and found the 3-month-old baby girl to be pale, choking and gasping for air.
Officer Rodriguez immediately requested an ambulance while Officer Charles removed the baby from her car seat. The footage begins in the moments Officer Charles places the baby face down on his forearm and pats her on the back to help clear her airway. Shortly after, the baby girl responds by crying. The officers also observed a white liquid coming from the baby’s mouth.
AMR paramedics arrived soon after and transported the baby to an area hospital for further evaluation. The baby was released from the hospital later on Monday.
“I am so proud of these officers who immediately took action, kept their composure in a stressful situation and worked together to help this baby,” Police Superintendent Clapprood said. “Officers start every shift not knowing what they may face that day or how they may be able to make an impact, and I am thankful that they were in the right place at the right time to use their training to save a life.”
Mayor Sarno states, “God Bless! First of all, I am very happy that mom and baby are doing well and healthy. Such a beautiful child and loving mother whose quick thinking to pull over after seeing the officers working a road detail, I am so relieved that our brave and dedicated officers were able to offer assistance and utilize their training to save the life of this precious child. Simply tremendous life-saving work by Officers Christopher Charles and Luis Rodriguez – they were so calm, cool and collected. Sometimes people forget that our police officers are not only brave, compassionate, but also, sentinels of peace making for a better and healthier community. God Bless and good health to both mom and child and Godspeed to these two officers and all of our SPD.”
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