The Dunwoody City Council at its Sep. 9 meeting recognized Police Sgt. Trey Nelson with a medal for meritorious service for saving the life of a toddler who was choking on food.
The device he used, a LifeVac suction device, had recently been purchased by the Dunwoody Police Foundation at the suggestion of Councilmember John Heneghan.
According to an account from the city’s communication’s department, Nelson responded to an Aug. 12 call in reference to an 18-month-old child who was unresponsive after apparently choking on food.
“When he arrived, he located the child lying on the front porch of the home, being attended to by a family member,” the statement said. “The child was unconscious, not breathing and was blue in color. Sgt. Nelson quickly assessed the child’s condition and began utilizing his LifeVac rescue suction device to remove the obstruction from the child’s throat.”
After paramedics arrived and continued working on him, the child was able to breathe on his own. He was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where he made a full recovery.
Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson said, while recognizing Nelson, the original idea for the LifeVac came after Heneghan had read reports about the device.
The Dunwoody Police Foundation donated the funds to buy a LifeVac devices for each sworn officer’s vehicle, as well as in various areas within the department.
“It’s a wonderful series of events that led to saving a life,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “In the Hebrew faith we say, when you save a life, you save the world, and it certainly happened in this case.”
In other action, the council:
- Recognized Chief Judge Rick Powell for 25 years of service;
- Heard from Dunwoody City Manager that Dunwoody Police Department is installing Narcan kits throughout city facilities with an expected completion date of late September;
- Also heard from Linton that portable restrooms are being installed at Wildcat Park, Homecoming Park, and Brook Run dog park;
- Discussed without taking action several designs for bridge enhancements when a new bridge is constructed by the Georgia Department of Transportation on Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
