Madison Police Chief Bill Ashburn presented a Lifesaving Award to officer Mike Maxwell during the Sept. 12 city council meeting.
According to Chief Ashburn, Maxwell was dispatched to a Bell Circle address in reference to a medical emergency involving a 2-week-old infant on the morning of May 2.
When Maxwell arrived, he found the child’s grandmother holding the infant, who appeared limp and had patchy discolored skin according to Ashburn.
“Officer Maxwell took the child and looked for signs of breathing and found none,” Ashburn said. “Officer Maxwell’s instincts and his first aid training took over, and he quickly positioned the child in his right hand and face down. He applied a slight tap on the child’s middle back, and the child began to cry.”
At that time, EMS arrived, and the child was turned over to medical staff.
“I realize that May was a while back, but the humbleness of Officer Maxwell kept us from knowing anything about this incident for a while. We received a letter at the Madison Police Department about two months later.”
Ashburn then read that letter to the council. Dear Police Officer, This is Lucia Connelly. You saved my life back in May when I was 2-weeks-old. Sorry, I didn’t write you earlier, but I’ve been keeping my parents really busy. I’m now 2-months-old, almost 3, and doing much better.
Thank you for saving my life.
Maxwell got a standing ovation from council members who applauded his heroics enthusiastically.
Mayor Fred Perriman shook Maxwell’s hand at the conclusion of the presentation.
“Thank you so much for that kind deed,” Perriman said.