Police Chief Brian Kyes is pleased to announce that he awarded Officer John Bruttaniti the Chelsea Police Department’s Life Saving Medal on Wednesday, June 10, after Bruttaniti saved the life of a choking toddler earlier this week.
On June 7, around 3 p.m., Officer Bruttaniti and Officer Tracy Arsenault were conducting a motor vehicle stop when they observed a man and a woman nearby pull over and frantically exit their car. The man was holding his 1 1/2-year-old daughter in his arms and trying to remove something from her mouth.
Officers immediately responded and determined the toddler was choking.
Officer Bruttaniti took the child from the man and, using his training, dislodged a penny from her throat. Officer Arsenault secured the area and calmed the parents so Officer Bruttaniti could administer aid uninterrupted.
Sgt. Efrain Gonzalez submitted a recommendation to Chief Kyes for Officer Bruttaniti’s work, stating it was his calm nature under a time-sensitive and emotionally-charged incident that saved the toddler’s life.
Sgt. Gonzalez also commended Officer Arsenault for her work during the emergency.
“It is my honor to recognize Officer Bruttaniti for his swift action that ultimately saved this child’s life,” Chief Kyes said. “He proved to be calm under fire, which is a true testament to his skills as a member of the Chelsea Police Department.”