The face of the Hartford Police Department, Deputy Chief Brian Foley, has a new title: lifesaver.
"I was with some friends having lunch and one of my buddies said 'does anybody know the Heimlich because' there's a lady choking over there?'" Foley told NBC Connecticut.
Foley jumped into action when he noticed a woman choking during lunch at the Manchester Country Club on June 22 and has been called the "Heimlich Hero".
Priscilla West was choking on chicken mac-n-cheese at the Waterview Cafe, her friend, Joan Capello, of South Windsor, said.
"He came right over and he was so concerned, so professional about it,” Capello said.
She said Foley was quick to help West, who wasn't breathing.
"I did the Heimlich maneuver just as I was trained at the police academy 23 years ago and I'm very thankful to have that training,” Foley said.
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Capello said as Foley did the maneuver on the woman, he yelled for someone to call 911.
After a few more Heimlich’s and the Summerwood Lane ladies lunch group were good to go.
"And then third one, I tell her ‘I’m sorry this might break your ribs. I'm going to try and do this' and I did. It was successful and I didn't hurt her either,” Foley added.
"She was fine and we were all so grateful someone was there that knew what to do and took charge,” Capello added.
Foley said he doesn’t want to be known as the Heimlich Hero, because it is all part of being on the Hartford Police Department team.
"Nothing I did is anything more extraordinary than the women and men of the Hartford Police Department and what they do every day,” Foley said.
He quietly returned to lunch before hitting the greens.
"Wish my Heimlich maneuver was as good as my golf game," Foley added.
