Photo: Springfield Police Department
SPRINGFIELD (WBZ NewsRadio) — It was the right time and the right place when a woman drove up to a work zone in Springfield earlier this week, asking for help from the two Springfield police officers working construction detail. Her three-month-old baby had stopped breathing.
Officers Luis Rodriguez and Christopher Charles jumped into action, starting CPR and calling for an ambulance. Officer Charles removed the baby from her car seat and placed the baby face down on his forearm, patting her on the back to help clear her airway.
"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."
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.
Springfield police released body-worn camera footage on Wednesday.
“God Bless! First of all, I am very happy that mom and baby are doing well and healthy." Mayor Domenic Sarno said. "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.”
WBZ's John Baibak (@JohnBaibak) reports:
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