Gwinnett MPO's CPR Saves 18-Month-Old Who Wasn't Breathing

A Gwinnett MPO and an off-duty nurse teamed up to save a choking 18-month-old. Their quick thinking gave a young boy a second chance.

by Admin

Sep 12, 2025

A Toddler's Breath, A Community's Heroes

On August 17, an ordinary day at the intersection of Hoke O’Kelly Mill Road and Loganville Highway turned into a scene of quiet panic and profound heroism. For one family, time stopped when their 18-month-old son became unresponsive and stopped breathing. In their moment of pure fear, they saw a beacon of hope: a Gwinnett County police officer parked nearby, finishing a report. That officer was Master Police Officer (MPO) Ralph Mondesir, and he was not alone.

A Desperate Plea for Help

The frantic parents rushed to MPO Mondesir, their child limp and not breathing. Without a moment's hesitation, the officer’s training took over. He promptly arrived at the scene, took the 18-month-old in his arms, and began administering aid. The tense scene, captured on police body cam footage, shows a community coming together in a crisis. As MPO Mondesir started compressions, an off-duty nurse, Nicole Goodwell, who happened to be nearby joined the effort, providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. For seven long minutes, they worked in perfect sync, a testament to the power of teamwork in emergency situations.

Training and Teamwork in Action

MPO Mondesir’s focus was absolute. "The first and foremost [thought] was just make sure that little one was able to make it," he later recalled. "I was nervous, at first, he wouldn’t have made it." His calm professionalism under immense pressure provided a steady hand when it was needed most. This kind of immediate response is often the key to a positive outcome. As the American Heart Association reports, immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Officers are frequently the first on scene, and their actions bridge a critical gap. A study published in the Resuscitation journal highlighted that police interventions in cardiac events were associated with significantly higher survival rates and better neurological outcomes. At one point, a woman’s voice is heard on the footage, filled with hope: "His pulse is getting stronger." Soon after, the child began breathing again.

A Hero Twice Over

When Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services arrived, they took over care and transported the toddler to a local hospital. Thanks to the swift actions of MPO Mondesir and Nurse Goodwell, the child survived and is now recovering. The emotional weight of the rescue settled in for the officer afterwards. "I got a little bit choked up towards the end there," he admitted. "I basically did what I was hired to do and it’s one of those things where I’m going to continue doing it no matter what." Remarkably, this is not the first time he has been credited with saving a life. Two years prior, the Gwinnett County Police Department honored him with a lifesaving award police recognize for exceptional action, after he applied a tourniquet to the leg of a hit-and-run victim.

The Heart Behind the Badge

This incident is more than just a news story; it is a powerful example of the human side of law enforcement and the power of a community. As the Gwinnett County Police Department stated, the actions of MPO Mondesir and Nicole Goodwell "exemplify the essence of being a first responder." These acts of kindness and bravery are the foundation of positive community policing and build lasting police and community trust.

To read more inspiring stories about the men and women in blue, visit our stories page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who are the heroes who saved the toddler in Gwinnett County?

Master Police Officer (MPO) Ralph Mondesir of the Gwinnett County Police Department and an off-duty nurse named Nicole Goodwell worked together to save the child.

2. How common is it for police officers to perform CPR in emergencies?

Many police officers receive CPR training and are often first on the scene during medical emergencies. Their quick response can significantly improve survival chances in cardiac arrest or choking incidents.

3. Why is police CPR training so important?

Police are often the first to arrive at a medical emergency. Having CPR training allows them to provide immediate, life-sustaining care in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive, which can dramatically increase a person's chance of survival.