Deputy saves choking man’s life in Sheriff’s Office East Precinct lot

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Nov 18, 2009, Updated Nov 18, 2009

Washington County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Hammer has served the community for seven years as a patrol officer and most recently as a school resource officer.

Christina Lent / Beaverton Valley Times

A Washington County sheriff’s deputy saved the life of a 38-year-old Banks man Friday when he rushed to offer his aid to the choking father and successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver.

Deputies Joe Hammer and Jesse Battilega were nearing the end of their day shifts at about 1:45 p.m. and unloading their patrol cars in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office East Precinct at 3700 S.W. Murray Blvd.

As the two were gathering their gear, a man in distress approached them in the parking lot.

“He walked over to us and Deputy Battilega asked if he could help him,” Hammer recalled. “I heard the man say something short and then Deputy Battilega ask him, ‘Are you choking?’”

Hammer glanced over and saw the man grab his throat and nod, prompting him to rush over to the man, reach around his chest and perform three to four vigorous thrusts as Battilega radioed for medical assistance.

“I was able to dislodge the food blocking his airway,” Hammer said. “It took more force than I thought it would.”

After the man regained his breath, the deputies provided him with water. Within minutes paramedics with Metro West and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue arrived to check him out.

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