Off-Duty Deputy Saves Choking Victim In Essex County

Quick thinking and swift action from an off-duty volunteer deputy with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office may have saved a man from choking to death at a local restaurant on Friday evening.

Deputy Chris Cannon and his family and friends were waiting for a table shortly before 7 p.m., when they were alerted that a 60-year-old man was choking at Franklin Steak House on Passaic Avenue.

“Restaurant employees attempted to relieve the choking symptoms but were unsuccessful,” Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. “Fortunately, Deputy Cannon was on location and successfully administered the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the food particles that were obstructing the victim’s air passages.”

Fairfield police and EMT teams arrived on the scene a few moments later, and the victim is expected to make a full recovery.