Dallas Veterans Affairs officer saves choking toddler's life
By: Dallas, TX - A Dallas Veterans Affairs officer was in the right place at the right time to save a young boy’s life earlier this month.
The entire encounter took place in less than a minute. But for the 2-year-old who was choking, every second counted.
For Cpl. Lee Higginbotham, what started as a routine trip to the gas station on July 12 turned into a life-or-death situation.
Cpl. Higginbotham left the Dallas Veteran Affairs Medical Center campus to refuel his patrol car. He pulled into a nearby QuikTrip and that’s when his work day suddenly changed.
"Two people came running towards my squad car with the choking sign," he said.
A 2-year-old boy was choking in the parking lot.
Higginbotham’s body camera captured the chaotic scene. The 44-year-old Army veteran ran over and began doing back blows to try to dislodge the object. It didn’t work.
Higginbotham remained calm while he radioed for help. Then he turned the boy around and performed the Heimlich Maneuver.
The stubborn piece of hot dog finally dislodged. The boy’s breathing returned, and the color began to come back to his face.