It happened last month, December 17, at about 2:45 a.m. A distress call went out about a newborn not breathing. The parents need help fast!

We're just learning about it now, but two GRPD officers, Amanda Stewart and Ryan Johnston were the closest units on that fateful morning and arrived within a few minutes to find a newborn not breathing, the department said in a Facebook post.

Fox 17 reported Stewart had been a paramedic before she became a police officer, and she recognized that the infant’s airway was blocked with mucus. While Johnston performed CPR, Stewart began clearing the airway, and within a matter of minutes, the infant regained a pulse and its airway cleared. The child was taken to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for additional care and is home now doing well.

GRPD official Facebook post said: "On December 17 at 2:47 am, a medical tone rang out over the GRPD airwaves, of an “ECHO” level response of a baby not breathing. An ECHO call is the highest-level medical response, where by any available unit, whether police, fire or ambulance, should respond immediately in an emergency fashion.

Fox17
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On this particular morning, Officers Amanda Stewart and Ryan Johnston were the closest units. Officer Stewart arrived in less than 3 minutes, Officer Johnston shortly thereafter. They were confronted with a new born not breathing. Officer Stewart, a Paramedic prior to becoming a Police Officer, recognized that the infant's airway was blocked with mucous. While Officer Johnston performed CPR, Officer Stewart began clearing the airway. Within a matter of minutes, the infant regained a pulse and its airway cleared. The child was then taken to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for additional care. The infant is now home and we are told is doing well.

We would like to recognize Officers Stewart and Johnston for their heroic efforts in saving the life of a young child. Their commitment to the health and well-being of every community member is what defines a Grand Rapids Police Officer."

Amen GRPD. Well done!

 

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