Arcadia Police Chief Bob Sanderson and Mayor Peter Amundson presented police Officer Steve Castillo with the Department Life Saving Award at the Arcadia City Council Meeting last night for his heroic effort to help a choking six-year-old boy start breathing again.
On December 26 Castillo and Reserve Officer Mario Castro responded to a call to a residence in the 1000 block Loma Lisa Lane in regards to a six-year old child choking, according to a description by Captain Bob Guthrie:. The family was understandably hysterical with the boy lying on the floor with skin color that was blue while the father tried to render aid. Officer Castillo checked the boy for vital signs and found a pulse but was unresponsive and not breathing. After administering several back blows in an attempt to dislodge the object blocking the child’s airway, he turned the child over and performed several mouth sweeps to clear the obstruction. As a result of these collective efforts, Officer Castillo was able to clear a portion of the object, and soon heard air starting to flow again. At that moment, paramedics arrived and took over rescue efforts. Medics used forceps to fully clear the object (and blockage) from the boy’s throat. The boy was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital for treatment. He was later released from the hospital, and has since made a full recovery.
Officer Castillo received a standing ovation from the Council and city staff and police officers and others in the audience as he received a formal citation and a uniform ribbon award that he will wear proudly each day. Mayor Amundson said there was no way a certificate of appreciation could express how Officer Castillo’s efforts made the young boy’s family whole, nor the collective gratitude of the entire community.
— By Scott Hettrick