Tuesday night, Southmayd Police Officer Scott Barrett was recognized by the Southmayd Police Department, Whitesboro Fire Department and the Sons of the American Revolution for his crucial role in providing lifesaving measures on a 23-month-old girl earlier this summer.
Just four days after attending a CPR seminar hosted by the Southmayd Fire Department, Officer Barrett was dispatched to a local residence on July 21 where a toddler was reportedly choking, unresponsive and not breathing.
“She was honestly gone, it just seemed like forever,” the girl’s grandmother, Sherry Steward, said. “She was just lifeless.”
Without hesitation, Officer Barrett took custody of the child and immediately began administering age-appropriate back blows to clear the apparent airway obstruction. Soon after, the child began whimpering and breathing. She was transported by ambulance to Texoma Medical Center for further medical treatment and observation, where she ultimately made a full recovery.
“I’ve been doing this job 23 years,” Southmayd Police Chief Jeff Laughlin said. “What I witnessed (Officer Barrett) do on (body cam) video was really amazing… I saw calmness, I saw professionalism, I saw immediate action.”
Officer Barrett admittedly didn’t want to attend the CPR training provided by the Southmayd Fire Department – he’s taken this kind of training several times in the past. But after some encouragement from Chief Laughlin, he did attend and is so grateful he had the opportunity.
“Little did I know that the Lord was going to use me so quickly,” Officer Barrett said. “It sounds like a cliché, but I give God all the glory. Jesus is the one who saved her; I was just His instrument.”
After Laughlin presented Officer Barrett with a Lifesaving Award on behalf of the Southmayd Police Department, Barrett and Firefighter Justin Brandon (who also provided aid on that call) were presented with certificates from Whitesboro EMS Chief Stephen Wilcox on behalf of the Whitesboro Fire Department.
“When we’re responding from Whitesboro, it’s several minutes before we can be here,” Wilcox said. “These exact actions are what saved this baby’s life.”
Lastly, a representative from the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) presented Officer Barrett with a Lifesaving Award on behalf of the organization. After learning about this specific emergency, the SAR wanted to present Officer Barrett with the award in recognition of saving a life under emergency conditions.
Also recognized at this meeting for Years of Service was Southmayd Police Officer Craig Williams. Officer Williams has been with the City of Southmayd for 10 years and in law enforcement for 35 years, all of which has been volunteer.
“Not one day has he ever been paid for the job he has done,” Chief Laughlin said, “And that in itself is truly amazing.”
Officer Williams was presented with a certificate of service for 10 years of dedicated service to the City of Southmayd and 35 years of service to the law enforcement community.
