Officer Recognized With Lifesaving Award

At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, Chief Ken Lawson proudly presented Officer Katherine Essenthier with a lifesaving award.

On July 1 of this year, Officer Essenthier received a 911 call indicating a 10-month-old infant was choking and had become unresponsive. Officer Essenthier quickly responded to the scene and found the infant in his mother's arms, not responding, and not crying. The infant displayed signs of a blocked airway. 

Without hesitation, and relying on her extensive training, Officer Essenthier began back blows. Eventually, after several back blows, the piece of plastic that was depriving the infant of air was dislodged. The baby immediately began to breathe and cry. 

The mother and her son attended the meeting to express gratitude to Officer Essenthier.