Heroic Actions of Orange Police Officer Save Baby's Life from Choking on Hair Clip
In a heart-pounding moment that left the officer shaken, Corporal Greggory Cates, patrolling Southern California streets on January 19th, came across a frantic mother desperately calling for help. The baby girl, just seven months old, was choking on a hair clip, and her mother had been frantically running into the street with the infant in her arms.
When Cates arrived at the scene, he quickly took charge, calmly guiding the distraught mother as he assessed the situation. With swift actions, he performed the Heimlich maneuver, his bodycam footage capturing every tense moment. The dramatic turnaround came when the baby let out a faint cry - a clear sign that she was finally breathing again.
The heroic rescue effort earned Cates recognition from the City of Orange, which awarded him the Life Saving Medal during a city council meeting this week. Reunited with the relieved parents and their now healthy baby girl, Cates seemed to savor every moment of the reunion, recalling the baby's curious gaze as if she recognized her rescuer.
For this dedicated police officer, who also happens to be a parent himself, the experience has left an indelible mark. Reflecting on the harrowing incident, Cates expressed that while receiving accolades is appreciated, his job is about providing service - not seeking recognition. However, it's clear that the bond forged in this heart-stopping moment will remain forever etched in his memory.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the selfless dedication of first responders like Corporal Greggory Cates, who put their lives on the line to save others from life-threatening situations - and for some, it has created an unforgettable connection with those they've saved.
In a heart-pounding moment that left the officer shaken, Corporal Greggory Cates, patrolling Southern California streets on January 19th, came across a frantic mother desperately calling for help. The baby girl, just seven months old, was choking on a hair clip, and her mother had been frantically running into the street with the infant in her arms.
When Cates arrived at the scene, he quickly took charge, calmly guiding the distraught mother as he assessed the situation. With swift actions, he performed the Heimlich maneuver, his bodycam footage capturing every tense moment. The dramatic turnaround came when the baby let out a faint cry - a clear sign that she was finally breathing again.
The heroic rescue effort earned Cates recognition from the City of Orange, which awarded him the Life Saving Medal during a city council meeting this week. Reunited with the relieved parents and their now healthy baby girl, Cates seemed to savor every moment of the reunion, recalling the baby's curious gaze as if she recognized her rescuer.
For this dedicated police officer, who also happens to be a parent himself, the experience has left an indelible mark. Reflecting on the harrowing incident, Cates expressed that while receiving accolades is appreciated, his job is about providing service - not seeking recognition. However, it's clear that the bond forged in this heart-stopping moment will remain forever etched in his memory.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the selfless dedication of first responders like Corporal Greggory Cates, who put their lives on the line to save others from life-threatening situations - and for some, it has created an unforgettable connection with those they've saved.
... I mean, what's next? A baby choking on a Pokémon card 
? Just kiddin', but seriously, our orange police officer is a total hero 
. I remember when I was little, my grandma used to have these super old-fashioned hair clips, and they were always gettin' stuck in people's necks 
. I'm glad Corporal Cates has some experience with that kinda thing. And poor baby girl, I hope she's doin' alright now 
. It's just crazy thinkin' about how close we come to losin' someone, even if it's just for a sec.
this cop Greggory Cates is literally a hero 1000% his actions are so selfless and pure of heart i mean can u imagine being in that situation as a parent and having to see ur child choking on something? 
it gives me chills just thinking about it
the way he guided the mom and performed the Heimlich maneuver is just incredible and i love how humble he is about his job, saying its not about seeking recognition but rather providing service...that's just so inspiring 
corporal cates is literally a hero not just for saving that baby's life but also for staying calm in such a chaotic situation it gives me chills thinking about how he must've felt in that moment... as a parent myself, i can only imagine how emotional it must've been to reunite with the family after such a terrifying ordeal 
what an amazing display of bravery and compassion from our law enforcement officer 
! The way he remained calm and professional, it's truly inspiring. And to see the reunion with the parents and baby, *aww* those little faces... it's just too much 
. I mean, can you imagine if he didn't get a medal? Would've been a huge oversight imo 
just read about this crazy story of a cop saving a baby's life from choking on a hair clip... like what even is that? 
can't imagine how scary it must've been for him. hope he gets all the recognition he deserves 
i mean, what would have happened if the mom wasnt there to get help? it just goes to show how lucky we are to have people like corporal cates who put themselves in harm's way to save others 
i'm sure it mustve been so intense for him too, seeing the baby start breathing again 
and now he has that special bond with them forever 
The fact that he stayed calm under pressure and performed the Heimlich maneuver with such precision is just mind-blowing. 
The fact that he's not seeking recognition but just doing his job makes me even more inspired by him. He's literally a hero in every sense of the word! 
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I mean, come on, 7 months old? That's like, way too young for a hair clip! 
This whole thing just seems so preventable. And don't even get me started on the mom running into the street like her life depends on it... newsflash: it kinda does! 
so kudos to him for staying humble despite being a lifesaver 
i've been following his story and it's so cool to see how calm and collected he stayed under pressure i bet it's a good reminder for all us to be more aware of our surroundings when we're out with our little ones