Officer Saves Child’s Life on I-270 (PHOTO)

You may say he was at the right place at the right time.

A Montgomery County police officer helped save the life of a 9-month-old girl on Sunday after relatives said the child was unresponsive.

PHOTO| Montgomery County Police

Authorities said Officer James Herman was on his way home when he pulled over a vehicle on the on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 270 in the area of the Muddy Branch Road exit.

The traffic stop, however, was soon interrupted when a man and a woman stopped behind the officer’s cruiser with a child in their hands.

The woman, who police said the child’s grandmother, ran to the officer and told him the child was unresponsive.

Police said Herman realized the child was “ashen in color” and while cradling the girl in his arms, he began to perform CPR.

The child then regained consciousness, police said.

“I am very proud that Officer Herman was in the right place at the right time to save this infant’s life. He followed his training and his efforts resulted in a positive outcome. He is an excellent representative of the dedication and professionalism that Montgomery County Police officers possess,” said Bethesda District Commander Capt. David Falcinelli.

Herman called dispatchers and asked for Fire and Rescue assistance. Authorities said another man, who identified himself as an out-of-state firefighter, stopped his vehicle on the side of the road to offer assistance.

Police said the man has not been identified.

“There was a National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland, yesterday, and the man was wearing a shirt associated with that memorial. It is possible that this man had attended this service earlier in the day. The Department would like to thank this individual for his willingness to come to the assistance of our officer and this child,” according to the news release.

Herman is an 11-year veteran of the Montgomery County Police Department and currently works in the 2^nd District.

“I am told that this child is doing better and only still alive due to the quick actions of Officer Herman and the unknown civilian who assisted him in providing this life-saving intervention,” said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen Mann.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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