62 cops honored for saving baby’s life

Four officers were honored as Cops of the Month at the 62nd Precinct Community Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 19, for saving a one-year-old baby’s life.

On Monday, February 4 at 4:45 p.m., Officer Mathieu Pierre and his team were on routine patrol when a hysterical man approached their squad car at the corner of Bath and 25th Avenues, screaming that his baby was not breathing.

The anti-crime unit overheard the call for assistance over police radio and raced out of the station house and onto the scene to help.

Instead of waiting for an ambulance, Police Officer Atara Ashford placed the distraught father and child in the backseat of the police car and checked the baby’s pulse. After she observed the girl’s lips turn blue and feet start to yellow, she administered CPR as Pierre drove the car and Officers Romina Cekni and William Pierce assisted with clearing a path to Lutheran Medical Center.

Before they arrived, the baby was beginning to breathe once again.

“There is no greater accomplishment than saving a life,” said Deputy Inspector James Rooney, commanding officer of the 62nd Precinct, at the meeting which was held at the Muslim Youth Center. “They did a phenomenal job.”

Ashford was able to visit the child last week, who was “up and about and smiling,” according to Rooney.

The next 62nd Precinct Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the stationhouse at the corner of Bath Avenue and Bay 22nd Street.

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