Nogales, Ariz. - A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the Mariposa Port of Entry came to the aid of a 4-year old child, who was choking.
The event took place last night, as the boy and his mother were waiting to cross southbound into Mexico. The officer, on detail from Long Beach, Calif., responded to the mother's call for help, after her son began to choke on a piece of hard candy. The officer, Enrique Ruiz, ran to the vehicle and took hold of the child and began performing the Heimlich Maneuver. The procedure was successful in being able to dislodge the object. The mother and her child were asked whether they felt a need for additional medical attention, to which they replied no. The woman, a B1/B2 visa crossing card holder told officers she had crossed with her son, who is a US Citizen, to make a visit to a local retail store.
Nogales Acting Port Director Craig Hope praised the swift action of Officer Ruiz, "Our personnel are all trained to deal with a variety of scenarios, while on duty. While this type of situation doesn't present itself often, it's re-assuring to know they (CBP officers) can handle whatever comes their way." Hope added, "In this case, Mr. Ruiz saved life of a young boy, which is above and beyond the call of duty."