Long Beach Police Officer Helps Save Choking Toddler

A quick-thinking Long Beach police officer was credited today with helping to save the life of a 14-month-old boy who was in danger of choking to death.

Police were called about 7:30 p.m. Monday to a residence in the vicinity of 56th Street and Paramount Boulevard, where the toddler was in full cardiac arrest, said Lisa Massacani of the Long Beach Police Department.

Officer Alfonso Navarro, who was one of the first officers on the scene, immediately began administering CPR on the tot to get him breathing, she said. The officer then took the toddler outside, where he was met by arriving paramedics, who continue to assist the boy's breathing as he was placed in an ambulance and rushed to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

Navarro radioed for patrol units to block traffic along the route to the hospital, Massacani said, while other patrol cars with lights and sirens activated escorted the fire department ambulance.

At the hospital, the child was found to have an obstruction in his throat, which was cleared, enabling him to breathe freely. He was said to be doing well.