A newly released video depicts the heartbreaking moment three El Monte police officers saved a boy’s life earlier this week.
Police first responded to an emergency call Monday around 8 p.m. regarding a child who was choking; The exact location of the incident has not been released.
Officer Raul Vega was the first to arrive on scene and found the 8-year-old boy, identified by police as Ethan Cante, unconscious and not breathing due to a piece of candy blocking his airway.
A second officer who arrived on scene, Officer Dennis Chiu, provided an anti-choking device called a LifeVac to clear the boy’s airway and “avoid a potentially disastrous outcome for Ethan,” police said.
El Monte police purchased 200 LifeVac devices in April, authorities said, adding that Ethan was the first person to use it on him since their acquisition.
“Luckily, thanks to my partners and the training we received, we were able to get the candy out,” Officer Vega said. “This [device] is a lifesaver.
“Every parent should have one in their home and in their car,” he added.
Ethan, his mother and the officers were reunited Friday evening at a city council meeting, where the officers received lifesaving awards.