Legal NCO proves to be true hero

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A piece of sweet candy brings a moment of joy and satisfaction to most children, but a Life Saver candy almost turned the moment sour and tragic for one family. 

Quick thinking and swift action from a member of the Luke Staff Judge Advocate office changed the outcome. 

Upon hearing a child's cries, Master Sgt. Michael Carr, 56th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate law office superintendent, left his office to investigate. 

"I ran out to see what was wrong; that's when I saw a man performing the Heimlich maneuver on a small child," Sergeant Carr said. "When I got closer, I saw a piece of hard candy stuck down his throat." 

Kristian Cicero, 4, son of Capt. Rico Cicero, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron section commander, was enjoying a piece of candy while waiting for his mother's school documents to be notarized at the SJA office when he started to choke on the candy he had in his mouth. 

"My son was holding his throat, choking and screaming," Captain Cicero said.
Captain Cicero began performing medical procedures in an attempt to dislodge the candy, to no avail. 

With the father's permission, Sergeant Carr gingerly positioned his finger in the boy's throat and attempted to fish out the candy. 

"As I grasped the candy and dislodged it from the boy's throat, he chomped down and bit me really hard, to which I lost hold of the candy," Sergeant Carr said. 

Upon doing so, the candy became stuck in Kristian's throat again. Members of the SJA office handed the boy some water. After drinking the water, he was able to vomit, dislodging the candy. 

Sergeant Carr's quick actions are due to training he recently received. 

"I had to take a resuscitation class at the medical group hospital, because my grandson has medical issues. Also our self aid buddy care training teaches us the first thing to do is to ensure the airway is clear," he said. 

Captain Cicero's family is grateful for Sergeant Carr's actions, and wants to remind Airmen that although CPR didn't dislodge the candy, it is critical to stay current on Self Aid Buddy Care training. 

"Doing something is better than nothing," the captain said.