What started as a routine stop for gas suddenly turned into a life-or-death situation for Corporal Lee Higginbotham of the Dallas VA Police Department.
Higginbotham was refueling his patrol vehicle at a QuikTrip, a local gas station, when a crowd of panicked bystanders called out for help. In the middle of the group was a small child around 2 years old, struggling to breathe and growing visibly weaker by the second.
Relying on his training, Higginbotham stepped in immediately. He recognized that the child was choking and performed the Heimlich maneuver, working quickly and carefully until a foreign object was expelled from the child’s airway. Relief swept through the crowd as the boy’s breathing returned, and the color began to come back to his face.
Right place, right time
“I just did what anyone in my position would hope to do,” Corporal Higginbotham said. “I’m grateful I was in the right place at the right time and able to help.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics arrived moments later, checked the child thoroughly and made sure he was safe to go home. Higginbotham stayed on scene until everyone was sure the child was okay.
Dallas VA Police Chief Michael Dvorak praised Higginbotham’s actions: “His quick thinking and compassion truly made all the difference. We’re proud to have officers like him protecting not just our VA campus and the Veterans that we serve, but the whole community.”
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Well done!
Corporal Higginbotham, That was some exciting QT stop. Thank you, from us Vets, Father’s, and Public. Some of my Combat Brothers and I was just talking about this subject the weekend past. How people will literally stand around and record this stuff on cellphones. WITHOUT helping, offering help, getting help, or likewise. We’ve heard it all; its not our business, we can get sued, I don’t know how to help, and so on. I always liked the saying, “Always do whats right, even when no one is looking.” Everybody knows what’s right, thank you for doing it.
Very nice job. I’m happy we have policemen and women all over the country like you. Be safe