A Texas police officer in the right place at the right time likely saved a toddler’s life. Dasiy Walker and her husband, Brian Walker, were with their 2-year-old daughter Adeline, whom they call Addy, when they noticed she was making a funny sound. Dasiy Walker quickly realized that Addy was choking. They tried the Heimlich maneuver but were unable to dislodge the object and knew they needed to act quickly. Thankfully, help was just around the corner.
“In that moment, I don’t know what she’s choking on at all. I thought maybe it was a tiny bead or something, I never thought it was the toy she takes to bed with her or the one she wakes up asking about,” Dasiy Walker told KLTV.
The couple took off running with their daughter and called 911. Then a hero came out of nowhere to help.
“My husband starts running with phone in his hand, and the officer pulls into the Taco Bell, and you just are hoping he can help,” Dasiy Walker explained, per KLTV.
Sergeant Michael Lazarine with the Lindale Police Department saw Addy and her parents just 23 seconds after they called 911.
“When I pull in, all I know is there’s a person choking. I don’t know anything else. I realized pretty quickly I had a different situation on my hands because she’s smaller and I can’t just do the standard Heimlich that they teach you in training,” Lazarine explained.
He added that a few months ago, his department brought in a CPR specialist who focuses on saving children. The training came in handy. “It’s almost as if I was supposed to be ready for this specific moment,” Lazarine shared.
Dramatic bodycam footage shows the moment Lazarine ran to the family and saved Addy’s life.
“He got there so quick. Without him, I’m certain she wouldn’t be here today,” said Dasiy Walker, per KLTV. She added that she never expected the small toy to nearly take her daughter’s life, but she’ll be throwing all those kinds of toys away.
After the family returned home from the hospital, Dasiy Walker shared a sweet message of gratitude with Lazarine on Facebook.
“Because of you, I was able to bring her home tonight. The hospital said it was so close, but you got it out just in time. Her lungs look perfect, her breathing sounds excellent, and now she is home safe and resting,” she wrote. “From one mama’s heart to yours—THANK YOU. You will forever be our hero.”
