Elizabethton Police Chief Greg Workman says a child is alive today, thanks to a quick response by Cpl. Matt Taylor.

For this reason, Taylor was recognized at Thursday’s City Council meeting by Mayor Curt Alexander for his actions which likely saved the life of a choking child.

According to a police report, on March 28 Emergency Medical Services was dispatched to a home on East E. St. where a 2-year-old child was choking. Taylor and Sgt. Shane Darling were in the vicinity and responded immediately.

“When we arrived, the mother was carrying the baby who was gagging, drooling and looked like he was attempting to cry but couldn’t,” Darling wrote in a memorandum.

He said Taylor took the child from the mother and saw something lodged in his mouth. He then administered back blows, swept the mouth and continued back blows, till the child spit out the food. After this, Darling wrote, the child coughed and began crying and acting normally.

“Officer Taylor’s quick action and use of his training quite possibly saved the child’s life,” Darling wrote.

He then recommended Taylor for the life saving award.

“We appreciate you sir for what you do for us everyday,” Alexander said, presenting Taylor with the award.