A Polk County Sheriff’s deputy is receiving accolades for saving the life of a 10-month-old baby boy who almost choked to death on Tuesday night.
35-year-old Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Kirkpatrick, who has been with the Sheriff’s office just over two years, responded to the baby’s home at 2530 Chestnut Woods Drive in Lakeland, after receiving an “assist other agency” call. The “other agency” being assisted by Kirkpatrick was Polk County Fire and EMS.
Deputy Kirkpatrick, who was the first to respond to the scene found the baby boy choking and unable to breathe. He took the boy from his mother’s arms and noticed that the baby’s airway was completely blocked.
Deputy Kirkpatrick performed the Heimlich procedure to remove the obstruction. After several attempts, the sunflower seeds, lodged in the baby’s throat were dislodged and the baby began to breath.
EMS who arrived subsequently, stabilized the baby and transported him to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center as a precaution.
“Law enforcement officers, Fire, and EMS personnel perform actions like this on a daily basis that often go unnoticed and without thanks,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “In this incident, what could have been an unthinkable tragedy instead is an inspirational story. Deputy Sheriff Kirkpatrick will receive a commendation for his actions, but I know that his real reward is returning a happy healthy baby back to his family. This is just one example of how the jobs our deputies, and all first responders, do are priceless.”
