Grand Rapids Officers Saved a Newborn’s Life Who Stopped Breathing
A frightening situation turned into a Christmas miracle and two officers with the Grand Rapids Police Department are the heroes.
I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw a post from the GRPD that said "OFFICER RECOGNITION." After reading this feel-good story, it was too good not to share.
In the post, GRPD says that on December 17, just before 3 a.m., a medical tone, called an 'ECHO', rang.
An ECHO call is the highest-level medical response, where by any available unit, whether police, fire or ambulance, should respond immediately in an emergency fashion.
Officers Amanda Stewart and Ryan Johnston were the closest ones to the scene and arrived within 3 minutes. It was there they found that a newborn baby couldn't breathe due to a mucous block. Having worked as a paramedic, Officer Stewart immediately gave the baby CPR and cleared the mucous from the airway. Within a couple minutes, the infant thankfully started breathing and a pulse was detected.
Afterwards, the child was transported to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital for further care and attention.
GRPD says the baby is now safe at home and doing well.
Thank you Officer Stewart and Officer Johnston for saving a life, sparing a family from grief, and serving our community.