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Video: Mass. officers save baby who stopped breathing

The officers were praised for being “calm, cool and collected”

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Springfield (Mass.) Police Department

By Patrick Johnson
masslive.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Springfield Police Department on Wednesday released body camera footage showing a dramatic effort by three officers performing CPR to save a baby who stopped breathing.

The 4-minute video shows officers Josue Cruz, Luis Delgado and Francisco Luna responding to a 911 call on April 20 to a home in the Mason Square area. The child’s mother called for help after finding her 3-month old son had stopped breathing and was turning blue.

The footage, taken from Cruz’s body camera, shows Cruz performing CPR on the baby, while Delgado and Luna assisted by providing oxygen and comforting the mother.

After a few moments, the child regained consciousness and began breathing on his own. He was taken by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center’s Pediatric Unit for further treatment. The mother later told police he is doing fine.

The names of the mother and the baby have not been released to the public. The footage released by the city was edited to obscure the baby’s face, at the mother’s request.

Last week she brought the baby to Springfield police headquarters to meet with Delgado, Cruz and Luna and to say thank you in person.

Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood said that even though she knew the officers were able to save the child, watching the video still gave her goosebumps.

“These officers performed admirably in an incredibly stressful situation,” she said. “I am so proud of them knowing that their actions helped prevent a tragedy and credit to Mom who did everything right.”

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said he was relieved the mother and child are doing well, and he is also grateful Cruz, Delgado and Luna were able to help.

“Simply tremendous life-saving work by Officers Luna, Cruz, and Delgado — they were so calm, cool and collected,” Sarno said. “Sometimes people forget that our police officers are not only brave, compassionate, but also, sentinels of peace making for a better and healthier community.”

[NEXT: What cops need to know about cardiocerebral resuscitation]

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