Taunton, Massachusetts, Police Sergeant Matthew Laranjo recently reunited with a 2-year-old boy whom he helped save when the boy was choking on a piece of food at a day care in May.

Laranjo was greeted at the Taunton police station on May 30 by 2-year-old Joseph Teodoro and his parents, Rafaella Teodoro and Magnun Teodoro. The family shared how thankful they were that Laranjo was able to save Joseph’s life.

Just three weeks earlier, Taunton police officers responded to a report of a young child who was choking at the Taunton Old Colony YMCA at approximately 2:40 p.m.

“Sergeant Matthew Laranjo was the first to arrive on scene where the boy was choking on a piece of cantaloupe and being assisted by a staff member,” the department said on Facebook. “Sergeant Laranjo immediately began to render aid to Joseph. After three rounds of back blows, he was successfully able to dislodge the obstruction to the point where the boy could take breaths, but the obstruction was still in the child’s throat.”

Taunton Police Patrolman Nathan Matos arrived shortly after and assisted in providing further aid until paramedics from the Taunton Fire Department and Brewster Ambulance arrived.

As Joseph was being placed into the ambulance, he was able to fully cough up the piece of food on his own. He was then transported to a local hospital, along with a staff member from the YMCA.

Laranjo met Joseph’s parents at the hospital and spoke to them about the incident.

To show their appreciation to Laranjo and the department’s lifesaving efforts, the Teodoro family recently visited the police station.

“I am thrilled that little Joseph is doing better, and it was very special that he came to visit us with his parents at the station,” Chief Walsh said. “A situation like that is a parent’s worst nightmare, and Sergeant Laranjo and our other responding officers were able to fall back on their training and save this boy’s life.”