Officer Freddy Cerpa and his partner Megan Ficken responded to a Jan. 16 911 call in the Bronx and used body-worn camera footage shows them clearing a choking 2-year-old’s airway. The child, who was choking on mucus, regained signs of life and was taken to Jacobi Hospital as a precaution and is reported to be doing well. The rescue followed a December incident in which Cerpa helped save a 1-year-old; Cerpa praised his partner’s quick actions.
Rookie NYPD Officer and Partner Save Choking 2-Year-Old — Dramatic Bodycam Footage
Cerpa said he credits Ficken with the latest rescue.(Fox News)
A rookie NYPD officer is being praised after helping save the life of a choking 2-year-old in the Bronx. Officer Freddy Cerpa and his partner, Officer Megan Ficken, responded to a Jan. 16 911 call reporting an unconscious child who appeared to be choking.
Bodycam video showed officers working to clear the child's airway.
Body-worn camera footage captures the tense rescue as the officers worked quickly to clear the child’s airway and revive him. According to police, the boy was choking on mucus; he soon showed signs of life and was transported to Jacobi Hospital as a precaution. Authorities say the child is doing well.
The 2-year-old boy is going well, according to police.
"Just weeks after saving an infant who was choking, Officer Freddy Cerpa once again stepped in to help save the life of a 2-year-old child in distress — a powerful reminder that New York’s Finest are always ready when seconds matter most," the New York City Police Foundation said on social media.
Cerpa told WABC-TV that his December experience assisting in the rescue of a 1-year-old helped him remain calm and focused during the latest incident. He praised Officer Ficken for her quick action on scene, noting she was first to attend to the child and that he was glad to assist.
Why This Matters
Quick, trained responses by first responders can mean the difference between life and death in choking incidents. The officers’ fast actions and use of standard lifesaving techniques highlight the value of training, preparedness, and teamwork in emergency situations.
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