Choking Girl Saved By Manchester Police Officer

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township police officer saved the life of a choking child last week when he performed the Heimlich maneuver on the girl, police said Monday.

Detective Richard Jupinka was on duty and eating lunch at Café Napoli in the Manchester Plaza on July 14 when he saw young girl choking, Manchester Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Jupinka realized the girl was unable to breathe and went to the table as her uncle tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver. When her uncle wasn't successful, Jupinka stepped in and performed the maneuver, quickly clearing the food obstruction from her airway.

Once the obstruction was cleared, the girl began breathing normally. The child’s family declined the need for medical attention and thanked Jupinka for his lifesaving actions, Manco said.

Surveillance video from the restaurant show Jupinka's actions.

"Thankfully, one of our officers was in the right place at the right time," Police Chief Robert Dolan said. "Had he not been there, this incident could have ended much differently."

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