Local officers save child: ‘Grave situation to joyous’

*Above video is a previous story about Willoughby officers who saved a choking baby*

AVON, Ohio (WJW) — Two Avon police officers are being honored Monday night for turning a “potentially grave situation into a joyous one,” saving a 2-year-old girl back in October.

On Oct. 31, two officers on patrol were waved down by a motorist, who was holding her two-year-old daughter in her arms.

“She was sticking her fingers in her child’s mouth, attempting to remove what the child was choking on,” said Avon Police Chief Daniel Fischbach.

The mom told the two officers that her little girl was choking on a piece of candy.

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“Officers Holly Alferio took hold of the child, securing her, and holding her in a downward-facing position while officer Alexis Dixon delivered back blows to the child’s upper back,” Fischbach said Monday.

He said the officer’s actions were lifesaving.

“A Lifesaver candy was dislodged from the child’s mouth, allowing her to breathe freely,” he said.

Alferio and Dixon will be recognized and “hailed as heroes” during the Avon City Council meeting on Monday, April 15.

Fischbach said the officers were patrolling neighborhoods on Halloween when they saw the girl choking on the candy.

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“The quick thinking, calm demeanor, and actions of Patrolman Dixon and Alferio averted a potentially grave situation by turning into a joyous one. Their actions are a credit to themselves and represent the ethos and core values of the Avon Police Department,” said Fischbach.

The incident happened in front of Holy Trinity Church on Detroit Road in Avon.

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