Responders

63 inmates sign letter praising deputy who saved choking woman

century-regional-jail-desk.jpgAn unusual piece of heartwarming news out of the Los Angeles County jails. On Thursday evening, during dinner at the Century Regional Detention Facliity — the Lynwood lockup for females where Lindsay Lohan has visited more than once — first-year deputy Kristen Aufdemberg noticed an inmate who appeared to be choking on her lasagna. She ran over to help and saved the woman's life with a Heimlich manuever. A letter proposing Aufdemberg for some kind of special recognition was signed by 63 inmates who saw what happened, according to the LASD news release.

Deputy Aufdemberg immediately ran towards the inmate and saw the inmate’s face turning bluish-gray as she struggled to breathe.The deputy began administering life-saving treatment to the choking inmate. She stood behind the inmate, wrapped her arms around the inmate’s waist, and made several quick inward and upward thrusts into the inmate’s stomach area. After several attempts, the food stuck in the inmate’s throat became dislodged, freeing her airway and allowing her to breathe again.

Los Angeles County Jail medical professionals responded immediately to the housing module and provided additional medical treatment. The inmate was medically cleared and is in good condition.

63 inmates who witnessed the life-saving actions of Deputy Aufdemberg signed a note thanking her for saving the life of their cellmate. A copy of the thank you letter will be made available to the media.

Deputy Aufdemberg is a one-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. She was trained and certified in the Heimlich maneuver during First Aid classes at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy.

In the note, the women in housing unit 2600 wrote, "we the inmates of 2600 feel that Deputy Aufdemberg should receive major recognition in honor of her heroic gesture."


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