Crime & Safety

'The Police Are Never Off-Duty'

Two Peabody officers and a Salem lieutenant who lives in Peabody were all praised during the Peabody department's annual awards ceremony for their rescue efforts that saved the life of an infant boy.

 

A police officer is never off-duty, especially when he lives next-door – that’s the message Salem Lt. Andre Ouellette conveyed when he helped save the life of an infant last January in Peabody.

Ouellette and the two Peabody officers – Richard Heath and Richard Cochran – who responded to the scene at 15 Newcastle Rd. on Jan. 5 were confronted with a frightening scene – the little boy wasn’t breathing and was turning blue.

Find out what's happening in Salemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He didn’t have a pulse that the officers could find.

But thanks to the quick actions of the three officers, particularly Ouellette who was the first at the scene, the child’s life was saved and he made a full recovery at the hospital.

Find out what's happening in Salemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The three veteran officers during the Peabody Police Department’s annual awards ceremony at City Hall earlier this month.

“The police are never off-duty when it comes to saving a life,” Champagne said, adding his personal thanks to the three officers after reading off an official letter of commendation.

Ouellette, after the ceremony, reflected back on that day.

“An elderly woman knocked on my door, screaming. The baby was on my lawn…the mother was crying,” he told Peabody Patch.

Ouellette said the baby, whose christening he had attended not long before, was turning blue from lack of oxygen. He was the one to tell the mother to call 911, which brought Heath and Cochran to the scene.

“You always give it your best, but that personal contact helps you give it that extra effort,” Ouellette said. “I’m really, really happy that he’s alive.”

Below you can find the official letter of commendation that will be entered into each officer's personnel file. Champagne said Salem Chief Paul Tucker confirmed that a copy of the letter would be placed in Ouellette’s personnel file as well.

“On January 5th, 2011 at 3:05 p.m., the Peabody Police Department received an emergency 911 call of a child not breathing at 15 Newcastle Road. Officers Rick Heath and Richard Cochran responded.

“Upon arrival, Officer Heath observed off-duty Salem Police Lieutenant Andre Ouellette attending to a child who was not breathing and had no pulse. Officer Heath activated the emergency medical system by radioing for assistance. Officer Heath then assisted in opening the child’s airway and performing CPR. Officer Cochran then arrived and began rescue breathing with a ventilation bag valve mask. The officers continued to work on the child until the arrival of EMS units from Atlantic Ambulance. The child was transported to North Shore Children’s Hospital and then later flown to Massachusetts General Hospital where a full recovery was ultimately made.

“A follow-up investigation revealed that the child accidentally ingested a narcotic medication and went into cardiac arrest. Officer Cochran reported this incident to the Department of Family Services to ensure that the child would not be placed in further danger.

“I wish to officially commend Officer Rick Heath, Officer Richard Cochran and Salem Lieutenant Andre Ouellette for responding to a medical emergency in a calm and professional manner and for saving a life. This performance of exceptional service in life saving efforts exemplifies the highest standards of being a Peabody Police Officer by saving a life. Officer Heath and Officer Cochran shall receive one day compensatory time and a copy of this letter of commendation shall be permanently placed in their personnel file.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.