A Century Regional Detention Facility Deputy Took Swift Action to Save a Choking Inmate

An inmate's life was saved on September 15, 2022, when Deputy Palacios conducted the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge pieces of food from the inmate's throat. At approximately 7:30 p.m., Deputy Palacios heard someone banging on one of the temporary booking cell doors. Palacios immediately went to the booking front cells and saw an inmate inside the cell, making a gaging sound and gesturing he was choking.

Palacios immediately entered the cell and attempted to assist the inmate by positioning himself behind the inmate to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Palacios performed approximately 15 abdominal thrusts until the inmate ejected the blockage. The inmate began breathing again, and medical personnel was summoned. He was transported to St. Francis Medical Center for further evaluation.

The intense moment of Deputy Palacios springing into action to perform life-saving measures was captured on facility camera footage.