Glendale High staff, school police officer recognized for saving life of choking student

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·1 min read
Stephen Hall, chief communications officer, applauded the quick action of seven employees including school police officer Justin Murray, principal Josh Grove, and nurses Lori Harmon and Kristin Rohrer.
Stephen Hall, chief communications officer, applauded the quick action of seven employees including school police officer Justin Murray, principal Josh Grove, and nurses Lori Harmon and Kristin Rohrer.

On April 18, quick action on the part of staff saved the life of a Glendale High School student who was choking during lunch.

The names of a school police officer and six members of the Glendale staff were called during the Springfield school board meeting Tuesday:

  • Josh Groves, principal;

  • Lisa Anderson, assistant principal;

  • Justin Murray, school police officer;

  • Kristi Ditzfeld, counselor;

  • Jamie Jo Temple, counselor;

  • Kristin Rohrer, nurse;

  • Lori Harmon, nurse.

"This team's heroic response to a life-threatening emergency prevented an unimaginable tragedy for one of our students, his family and the Glendale school community," said Stephen Hall, chief communications officer, told the board.

"Officer Murray observed this student in distress, called for emergency responders and he and Mr. Groves immediately began to render aid while moving the student to the nurse's office, where Mrs. Harmon and Mrs. Rohrer assisted."

Hall continued: "After multiple efforts to dislodge the piece of food, the team succeeded in clearing the student's airway."

Anderson, Temple and Ditzfeld contacted the student's parents and provided support to a friend of the student and others who witnessed the incident.

"Each of these outstanding staff members played an important role in the positive outcome and we want to deeply thank them for being prepared to act when faced with a dire situation."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Glendale High School staff, school police officer save choking student