Hartford – On Tuesday night, Capitol Police Corporal Reginald Early was finishing his shift at the Legislative Office Building when a distressed family pulled up beside the State Armory. The parents, rushing to Connecticut Children’s Hospital, told Early their 12‑week‑old son, Leo, had stopped breathing.
“They were both hysterical, saying that the baby’s dying, the baby’s not breathing,” Early recalled. “The baby was blue. I immediately jumped out, grabbed the baby, cleared the airway, gave a couple of back blows, and started chest compressions.”
All Capitol Police officers receive basic CPR training, but Early had extra practice. His own son was born with a medical condition, prompting Early and his wife to become proficient in lifesaving techniques.
After a few minutes of compressions, Leo began breathing again. Doctors later diagnosed the infant with bronchiolitis, a common lung infection that causes swelling and mucus buildup in the airways of young children.
Leo’s father said the baby is now doing much better, and Early visited the family at the hospital to check on the little one’s recovery. “It really hit me when I saw baby Leo, and he was smiling, breathing, his eyes wide open,” Early said.
Experience and Commitment
Early brings more than two decades of law‑enforcement experience to the Capitol Police force. He began his career with the Capitol Police, then spent 20 years as an officer and investigator with the City of Hartford. After a stint in the private sector, he returned to public service at the Capitol, saying he “was in the right place at the right time, and I was able to save a baby’s life.”
He added, “It’s just like it was meant to be.” The incident underscores the importance of emergency‑response training for first‑responders and highlights how personal dedication can make a life‑saving difference in the community.
What Parents Can Do
Bronchiolitis is a frequent cause of respiratory distress in infants. Health officials advise parents to watch for signs such as rapid breathing, wheezing, or a bluish tint around the lips. Prompt medical attention and, when trained, immediate CPR can be critical.
Local hospitals and pediatric clinics continue to offer CPR classes for parents and caregivers, reinforcing the message that preparedness saves lives.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
