ONTARIO — Ontario Police Officer Rod Roose and Officer Brody Martin will receive life-saving awards after using a specialized device to rescue a choking man at a local restaurant.

Officers will receive the awards on Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at FOP Lodge 32 in recognition of their actions during an incident at Outback Steakhouse on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Police Chief Tommy Hill shared details of the rescue during the caucus meeting prior to Ontario City Council’s regular meeting, describing the urgency officers faced when they arrived.

“When officers arrived, this individual had a completely closed airway and was probably at the last stage of life,” Hill said.

Officers Roose and Martin used a LifeVac device, an anti-choking tool designed to remove airway obstructions, to successfully dislodge the blockage.

“I can’t tell you how many times that device was pulled — they never gave up,” Hill said.

As of Wednesday, Hill said both officers had visited the man in the hospital.

“He was up, conscious and smiling,” Hill said. “He had a trach in so he couldn’t talk, but you could tell how grateful he was.”

This will be Officer Roose’s third life-saving award and Officer Martin’s second.

Officers recognized for persistence and compassion

Hill said the rescue highlights both the importance of proper equipment and the dedication of the department’s officers.

“To see something like that happen and know it’s all a team effort — those are the good things we do in this job,” he said.

Hill also praised the officers for returning to Outback Steakhouse the next day to talk.

“My officers came to me and said, ‘Can we go?’ and I don’t see that a lot,” Hill said. “That makes me very proud. We’re not only saving lives, but we’re also worried about what’s going on the next day.”

To see something like that happen and know it’s all a team effort — those are the good things we do in this job.

Chief tommy hill

Nathan Sunderland, councilman for the First Ward and chairman of the safety committee, thanked Hill and the officers for their actions.

“It’s such an honor to hear of a life-saving measure that takes place in our city,” Sunderland said.

LifeVac devices proving effective in emergencies

Hill said he first learned of the LifeVac device about two years ago and quickly recognized its potential value.

“Immediately, I thought back to my early days as a young officer responding to choking calls,” he said. “There is nothing worse than responding to a choking call and not being able to save the victim.”

Choking victims are usually conscious and looking around, creating a desperate and time-sensitive situation. He said he purchased a LifeVac device for every patrol vehicle to ensure officers would have the tool available when needed.

“I put my faith in that it would work,” Hill said. “My goal was to give our people the equipment they need so they don’t have to walk away from a call where they couldn’t save somebody’s life.”

The device has already proven effective. Chief Hill noted officers saved a choking child with a LifeVac within six months of receiving the devices.

“There is no question this device saved that child’s life,” Hill said.

The department has since expanded access to the devices, providing some to the schools and planning to equip the Early Childhood Development Center as well.