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Two Austin police officers have recently been commended for their heroic efforts in saving the life of a choking child on February 16.
Officers Dalton Schroeder and Jason Wright responded to a distress call at around 4:30 p.m., at the Menlo at Mueller Apartments in northeast Austin, where they encountered 4-year-old William Martinez in dire need of assistance.
Recalling the harrowing moments before the officers arrived, William’s mother, Guadalupe Romero, said she was panicking as she witnessed her son struggling to breathe.
“I just … I panicked myself to like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” she recounted. “And then I start seeing his lips start getting purple, and he’s trying to lay down and close his eyes. And I’m like, ‘No, no, no, no, no.’”
Upon their arrival, Officer Schroeder utilized his personal anti-choking device, known as the LifeVac, which acts as a plunger to remove the obstruction.
Officer Wright, meanwhile, administered back blows to aid in dislodging the object. Body-camera footage released by the Austin Police Department captured the tense moments as the officers worked to save William’s life.
Following the successful intervention, William expressed his gratitude by giving the officers a thumbs up, a high five and a heartfelt hug.
“The outstanding work done by Officer Schroeder and Officer Wright successfully saved the life of a young child,” stated the APD in a press release. “APD commends both officers on their swift and effective action.”
Schroeder’s proactive approach to equipping himself with the LifeVac proved instrumental in the life-saving rescue. He said he had purchased the device with his own funds in preparation for such emergencies.
At a subsequent news conference attended by the officers, their supervisor and William’s family, Guadalupe Romero expressed her gratitude for the officers’ rapid response.
She revealed that medical staff later determined her son had been choking on his own saliva and thanked the officers for their decisive actions.
“It makes me sad and at the same time thankful, with these two officers that got there really fast, that my son is still with me,” Romero said.
In recognition of their exemplary service, the department honored Officers Schroeder and Wright and presented William with toys to take home as a token of appreciation.
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