Deputy saves elementary school student choking on pear on first day of school

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County Sheriff’s Office deputy saved an elementary student from possibly choking to death on the first day of school.

Deputy A.J. Wallace was making his rounds through the Wingate Elementary School cafeteria at about 7:40 am. on Monday.

Wallace noticed a teacher grabbing a young student by his stomach as if he was choking because the child had something lodged in his throat. The deputy said the student was not getting oxygen because his airway was completely blocked.

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Wallace, who recently completed CPR recertification training, performed 12 abdominal thrusts until a piece of pear was freed from the student’s throat.

The child was checked by a school nurse and appeared to be OK.

“Our SRO’s wear many hats, not just that of a law enforcement officer,” Sheriff Eddie Cathey said. “Having well-trained first responders in our schools not only is a crime deterrent but officers are there to help students and staff deal with all kinds of emergencies.”

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