Elmont rookie NYPD officer saves two choking children, receives Congressional recognition

New York Police Department officer Freddy Cerpa remains dedicated to his duties and has been labeled a “hometown hero” by Congresswoman Laura Gillen after saving two young children from choking. Cerpa was honored with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition.

Both incidents happened within less than a month of each other.

Only a rookie officer, the award highlights Cerpa’s ongoing commitment to serve his community, whether he is on duty.

In the first incident, Cerpa was off duty at his home in Elmont when he saved his neighbor’s choking baby.

The second incident occurred in January. Cerpa said he was in the field training unit at the time, assigned to a foot post, which he described as an area with higher crime, where officers conduct “visibility directives” so people know there is a police presence and the street is safe. He recalled the moments when he received a call about a choking baby.

Since not even a month earlier he had saved another young child from choking, the other officer who arrived at the scene, Officer Megan Ficken, knew about the previous incident, which is why she called Cerpa over to help administer back slaps, a first-aid technique to help dislodge food or other objects obstructing the airway.

“It is a great honor, especially since that it's coming as like a Congressional Award,” Officer Cerpa said of how he felt about receiving the award. He said he did not expect to receive an award like this, especially entering the academy. Cerpa has only been serving as a police officer for a little over a year, following in the footsteps of his cousin and uncle.

He added that his uncle was a detective and ever since he was a child, just seeing him in uniform was “just the coolest thing in the world,” he explained.

Congresswoman Gillen said that “his swift response and decisive action saved an innocent child’s life,” referring to the incident in December. The award further highlights his heroic actions while off duty, which have helped prepare him for other life-saving incidents like the one in January.