Clarksville, Tenn. – On Saturday afternoon, three Clarksville Police Department officers responded to a frantic call about a 3‑month‑old infant who was barely breathing. Arriving at the home, the officers immediately began clearing the baby’s airway, employing back blows and a LifeVac portable suction device.

LifeVac equipment saves the day

Police Chief Nathan Walls explained that the department equipped every officer with LifeVac devices about two years ago after his wife saw a commercial and urged its adoption. “We researched the device and decided to provide one to every officer,” Walls said. “You just knew that at some point you were going to need it.”

Officer Dalton Fitzgerald, Officer Colton Foreman, and Officer Joel Sellers arrived on scene. One officer delivered back blows while another retrieved the LifeVac. The device was applied, and the infant soon began to cry – a clear sign that normal breathing had returned.

Training and quick action credited

Chief Walls praised the officers for staying focused under pressure, noting that their training and the availability of the right equipment made the critical difference. “To be able to, in that moment, remember your training that you may have done a while back and be able to stay on task, it’s quite remarkable,” Walls said.

The family’s swift decision to call for help also played a vital role. “It’s kind of what we’ve come to expect,” Walls added, emphasizing that such life‑saving outcomes should never be taken for granted.

This incident underscores the importance of equipping first‑responders with modern tools and maintaining rigorous training, ensuring that Clarksville’s public‑safety personnel are prepared to protect the most vulnerable members of the community.

Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.