Two members of the Amsterdam Police Department were recognized at yesterday’s Common Council meeting for helping to save an infant who wasn’t breathing during an incident that happened on the morning of July 4.
According to a letter of commendation written by Sergeant Jacob Gifford, the situation began when Officer Keelan Zyzes observed a vehicle that ran a red light at the intersection of Church Street and Route 5. Zyzes followed the vehicle west on West Main Street with his emergency lights on to stop the vehicle, however the vehicle would not stop.
Officer Eduardo Ortiz was patrolling on the west end of the city and headed east to assist. Parking his car with emergency lights on at the end of West Main Street, he was able to stop the vehicle.
According to the account, “Upon stopping, the male front passenger of the vehicle immediately exited the vehicle carrying a small child. He gave the child to Ofc. Zyzes saying his six-week old daughter wasn’t breathing. Ofc. Zyzes observed that the child was blue. He placed her on the vehicle and started infant CPR while Ofc. Ortiz requested EMS to their location. After several chest compressions the child vomited and began moving around.”
The two officers then decided to transport the father and infant directly to nearby St. Mary’s hospital where they were turned over to hospital staff for additional care.
Gifford concluded in his letter, “Ofc. Zyzes and Ofc. Ortiz’s actions to help these members of the community are a credit to the police department and I commend them for a job well done.”
The letter was read by City Clerk Laura Barquero at the meeting. Both officers attended the meeting and were thanked by the mayor, council members, and other city officials.
