Watch: Hayward police saves choking baby

HAYWARD, Calif. - A Hayward police officer saved a choking baby, which was captured on video.

As Officer Emilio Gonzalez was leaving a back lot to begin his shift on Feb. 5, he was flagged down by a family whose 11-month-old baby girl was possibly choking. 

The panicked family was on their way to the hospital, but when they saw the officer on the way to begin his shift, they took a detour at the police department parking lot. 

Hayward police officer Gonzalez saves a choking girl. Feb. 5, 2025. Photo: Hayward police

Gonzalez quickly performed First Aid, Hayward police said, and after turning her over and striking her on the back, the baby spit up a small rubber band.

Police shared edited body camera footage of what happened, sharing images of the officer embracing the girl afterward. 

"I wasn't really sure what their intentions were or what to expect," Gonzalez told KTVU. "I mean immediately they just hand me their baby. I just feel the baby limp."

Luckily, Gonzalez just had a refresher life-saving course the week before. He sprang into action. "It's one thing to know what to do, but a little bit of shock kicked in because I have a one-year-old at home." 

Once he took action, it just took a few seconds before the baby was relieved. "The best sound was the baby crying. I mean it sounds weird, but at least at that point I knew the baby was breathing," Gonzalez said. 

Hayward fire crews arrived, but police said that no medical intervention was necessary. 

The family was understandably grateful. 

Gonzalez said he was just doing his job. 

"I just held the baby and the baby started kind of playing with my vest. She was super playful. That was pretty heartwarming," said Gonzalez. "And then immediately after that, the father gave me a hug. The mom gave me a hug, and it was just kind of an emotional moment for all of us."