When New Yorkers sign up to become police officers, one of the most common reasons is a desire to help people and save lives. NYPD Officer Freddy Cerpa can say he's achieved that goal twice over — all in a matter of weeks.
The first incident came December 7th when Cerpa was off duty at his Long Island home. His neighbor rushed over, begging for help. Her 1-year-old daughter had stopped breathing after appearing to choke on mucus during a cold.
Cerpa immediately jumped into action, performing "back slaps" — a technique learned at the police academy. He cleared the blockage before paramedics could arrive.
"I actually knew the child and the mother; she helped me through a hard time when my mother was sick with cancer," Cerpa says. "I was just glad I was able to repay the favor."
Mere weeks later, on January 16th, Cerpa found himself saving another child's life. He and Officer Megan Ficken responded to a frantic 911 call near Watson Avenue in the Bronx — a 2-year-old boy was unresponsive after choking.
"We run into the building, go up six flights," recalls Ficken. "The baby's on the floor, eyes closed, unconscious. I picked him up and started rendering back slaps. That's when Officer Cerpa arrived."
Working together, they resuscitated the child, who was later listed in stable condition at Jacobi Hospital.
For Cerpa, whether he knows the child personally doesn't matter. "A child is a child, whether I know them or not, I am giving 110%," he says.
The boy's family was emotional and grateful. For Cerpa, it's simply the job he signed up for — though few officers get to prove it twice in three weeks.