Astoria, Queens – On a recent afternoon, Officers Douglas Zimmerman and Jesutofunmi Aregbesola of the NYPD’s 114th Precinct arrived at a home near 24th Avenue and 27th Street to find a distraught family gathered around a one‑month‑old infant who had stopped breathing.
Quick action saves a life
According to the officers, family members were already attempting rescue efforts, but the situation required professional intervention. The officers took over, using the two‑finger technique required for infant CPR. Body‑camera footage captured the moment the officers began compressions on the baby’s chest, a delicate procedure that differs from adult CPR.
“When you’re performing CPR on an infant that small, you can’t do the same type of CPR that you would perform on an adult,” Officer Zimmerman explained. He added that he kept the baby’s mother reassured, saying, “We’re here, we’re gonna take care of it. It’s alright.”
Family gratitude and community impact
After several focused minutes, the infant began breathing again. “Ok. He’s breathing, he’s breathing,” Officer Zimmerman reported. The child was then handed over to EMS personnel and transported to New York‑Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was later released in good health.
Both officers expressed deep gratitude for the outcome. “It definitely feels rewarding after, and I’m just extremely grateful to have helped,” Officer Zimmerman said. Officer Aregbesola echoed the sentiment, noting the father’s heartfelt thanks and the family’s appreciation for the officers’ presence that day.
Why this matters to Astoria residents
This incident underscores the vital role that local law‑enforcement officers play in everyday public safety beyond crime prevention. By responding swiftly and applying proper medical techniques, the NYPD officers helped preserve a young life and reinforced community trust in first‑responders.
Neighbors in Astoria praised the officers for their professionalism and compassion. The story serves as a reminder that trained public‑safety personnel are a cornerstone of strong, family‑focused neighborhoods, aligning with the values of faith, family, and liberty that many residents hold dear.
Looking ahead
The NYPD continues to train its officers in emergency medical response, ensuring that they are prepared for a range of critical situations. Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with basic CPR techniques, but also to rely on trained professionals when emergencies arise.
For more information on community safety resources and upcoming public‑safety workshops in Queens, visit the NYPD’s official website or contact the 114th Precinct.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
