Sterling Heights Police Officer Saves Choking Baby in Walmart

"The doors could not open fast enough." See how a Sterling Heights police officer’s rapid response and training saved a choking infant.

by Admin

Dec 12, 2025

It was a typical evening at the Walmart on Van Dyke Avenue. Shoppers were filling their carts, and Officer Edwar Talia was on a standard police detail at the store. The atmosphere was calm, but as anyone in police work knows, peace can be shattered in a split second. On November 1, 2025, around 8:30 p.m., a frantic cry for help turned a quiet shift into a life-saving mission. It was a stark reminder of how quickly a routine police assignment can escalate into a critical 911 emergency.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

Bayley Simon, a mother visiting from the West Side of Michigan, was in the store with her 5-month-old son, Jameson. She was nursing him when the unthinkable happened. Without warning, Jameson began to choke. The situation spiraled instantly as the infant stopped breathing.

"I was nursing Jameson, and he stopped breathing, went completely limp, and lost a pulse," Simon recalled. The terror was amplified by her personal history. "He’s my miracle baby, so when I saw him limp and blue, I panicked. I started screaming; it was the scariest moment of my life."

Passersby tried to assist the distraught mother and her lifeless child, described by Simon as being "like a wet noodle." They needed emergency response professionals immediately to handle this terrifying infant airway obstruction.

The Sprint to Save Baby Jameson

Sterling Heights police officer Edwar Talia heard the alert and wasted no time. Bodycam footage captures the intensity of the moment as he sprinted toward the family.

"I rushed in there, I mean I ran," Talia said later. "The doors could not open fast enough."

When he arrived, he found the baby struggling for air. Talia, a seven-year veteran of the Sterling Heights Police Department, relied on his training. In a stroke of fortune, he had been re-certified in CPR just one week prior. He remained calm under the immense pressure, a testament to his police academy training.

"I kneeled down, I started doing just a few back blows while I’m talking to him," Talia explained. He was careful not to use too much force on the small frame while administering back blows for choking infant. His police skills and quick thinking were the deciding factors. "I can feel him breathing, but it’s very agonal."

A Miracle Moment Caught on Camera

The continuous blows cleared the obstruction. Suddenly, Jameson took a breath. The color returned to his face, and the frightening silence was broken by the sounds of life. Once Jameson was breathing on his own again, Officer Talia held the infant close to comfort him.

"The way he clung onto me and fell asleep on me, he knew it was a safe place," Talia shared.

For Bayley Simon, Officer Talia is a hero police officer. Her "miracle baby" was safe because a member of law enforcement was ready to act the second disaster struck. "From the bottom of my heart, there’s so much I could say, thanks for saving my baby; it means the world to me," she said. The Sterling Heights PD praised Talia's actions, stating, "Officer Talia’s quick and heroic actions undoubtedly saved this baby’s life."

More Than Just a Badge

This heart-stopping rescue highlights the importance of emergency preparedness. Officer Talia’s readiness made the difference between tragedy and a happy ending. It serves as a reminder that police serving the community often go beyond fighting crime; they are guardians ready to save lives at a moment's notice. Stories like this build community trust and remind us of the human being behind the badge.

Would you like to read more positive police stories? Check out our other inspiring articles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is first aid training critical for police officers?

First aid training is essential because police officers are often the first to arrive at a scene. Their ability to stabilize a patient before an ambulance arrives can be the difference between life and death. Mastery of skills like CPR and the use of tourniquets are standard police requirements that ensure officers can protect citizens during medical crises.

2. How can I find CPR classes near me?

If you want to be prepared like Officer Talia, you can search online for "cpr classes near me." Organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer courses specifically designed for infant, child, and adult CPR. Taking a class is a proactive step toward parenting safety and community well-being.

3. What is the Heimlich maneuver infant technique?

The Heimlich maneuver infant technique, often referred to as back blows and chest thrusts, is used when a baby under one year old is choking. It involves placing the infant face down on your forearm and delivering firm back blows, followed by chest thrusts if the object isn't dislodged. It is a vital skill covered in infant CPR classes.

4. Do police carry medical equipment?

Yes, most police across the country carry basic medical kits in their patrol vehicles. These kits often include AEDs, Narcan, and trauma supplies. This equipment allows first responders to treat a wide range of emergencies, from cardiac arrest to severe bleeding, providing essential care immediately.

5. Why do police officers often arrive before ambulances?

Police officers are constantly on police patrol within their assigned beats, meaning they are already mobile and often closer to the scene than an ambulance dispatched from a station. Because of this, they can provide rapid intervention, which is a core part of the police service they provide to the community.