Deputy commended for saving child's life

COFFEYVILLE, Kan. (KSNW) -- A Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy has received a commendation for saving the life of a small child.

The incident happened back in March, when Deputy Quinton Sumpter was on patrol in Coffeyville. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says shortly before 9 p.m. March 26, Deputy Sumpter stopped a speeding car.

The driver got out of the car, and the deputy soon heard a woman inside the car shouting, "Help, my baby is not breathing!" The sheriff's office says Sumpter began life-saving measures for the child who was turning blue and not breathing.

After some compressions and back blows, the child began to gasp and cry, according to the sheriff's office. Deputy Sumpter then rushed the child in his patrol car to the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Doctors in the ER determined the child had aspirated, causing a complete blockage and Deputy Sumpter's actions saved the child's life.

"I am very proud of Deputy Sumpter and his quick action in saving this young child.," says Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade in a news release. "I am thankful for this group of deputies that work hard and go above and beyond in situations like this one. Because of that, there is a young child that is alive and a family that still has their precious young one."

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office presented Deputy Sumpter with a medal and letter of commendation at a ceremony earlier this month.