Clarendon Hills police Sgt. Zach Finfrock said he just followed his training when he responded to a call of a one-month-old baby who had been choking and had stopped breathing.
The 10-year veteran of the Clarendon Hills department was first on the scene just before 2 p.m. Jan. 19 on the 500 block of Willow Creek Court.
Upon arrival, Finfrock immediately performed a baby Heimlich maneuver on the infant, after the mother had unsuccessfully tried to dislodge what the baby was choking on.
“The child looked very pale,” Finfrock said Friday. “With most of the calls — probably 98% — we get for someone choking, they no longer are choking when we get there.
“I just did what I was trained to do, and, fortunately, everyone worked out OK. I just felt that I needed to get this child breathing. The parents were very scared, and I was scared for them. The good thing is that everyone left smiling.”
Finfrock has been recognized by Clarendon Hills officials for his actions in helping the infant.
“It’s not everyday that we are confronted with these types of situations, but Sgt. Finfrock acted quickly, referred to his training, and use life saving measures to save an infant’s life,” Police Chief Paul Dalen said. “He should definitely be commended for his actions.”
