SOUNDVIEW, BRONX (WABC) — An NYPD officer saved two different babies from choking in a matter of weeks.
Officer Freddy Cerpa saved his neighbor’s 1-year-old daughter last month.
He did it again while on duty in the Bronx when he and a fellow officer helped save an unconscious 2-year-old boy.
Body camera captured the tense moments Officer Cerpa administered back slaps until he finally showed signs of life.
Officer Megan Ficken was among the NYPD officers who responded on January 16 to the 911 call.
She happened to be across the street and Officer Cerpa ran three blocks to the location.
“Officer Ficken was already giving back slaps. I kind of used my past experience from a month ago to try to kind of give her an idea of what I did last time,” Cerpa said.
In December, Cerpa was off duty in Elmont when a neighbor rushed over holding her lifeless 1-year-old daughter.
Cerpa revived the child by giving back slaps, which is the recommended method to use on choking babies.
Both rookie officers credit the training they received in the police academy.
Officer Ficken admitted that she feels even more pressure as the mother of two young kids herself.
“You want everything to work out perfect. It’s just like this. It amps the intensity, the urgency and the understanding of how impactful this situation is for parents,” Ficken said.
Despite saving two young lives in just a matter of weeks, Officer Cerpa remains a humble hero.
“The first one was definitely surreal. But in my opinion, this one is all Officer Ficken and she was there first. I was just glad I was able to assist her,” Cerpa said.
The boy who was choking on mucus was taken to Jacobi Hospital to be checked and he is doing well.
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