A Greenwood, Indiana, police officer was recently recognized for his heroic actions that saved the life of a newborn child.

Officer Anthony Swafford, whose been with the Greenwood Police Department for nearly two years, received the department’s Lifesaving Medal during a city council meeting on February 19, standing proudly alongside his young daughter and Mayor Mark Myers as Chief Jim Ison pinned the medal on him.

Swafford was honored for his quick response to a distress call on June 12, 2024, when a 6-day-old infant had stopped breathing. Rushing to the home, he arrived to find the baby turning blue with a foamy substance coming from its mouth. Without hesitation, Swafford took the infant from the parents and immediately began CPR.

“Officer Swafford was able to clear the infant’s airway, and the child began to cry,” Assistant Chief Matt Fillenwarth said during the ceremony.

The baby was transported to a local hospital and went on to make a full recovery. Swafford earned the Lifesaving Medal for his “quick thinking and heroic actions” that day, Ison said.

Swafford credited his training for allowing him to stay calm under pressure. “My training truly did kick in and was able to overcome the high stress that was involved,” he said. “After the fact, all I could think about was my own daughter who was born just a month before this baby was.”

Making the moment even more special for Swafford was having his family there by his side.

“To have my family there was very special, especially my oldest daughter wearing her police costume, who wants to be just like me,” he said. “And to be in the presence of the council and my fellow officers was a great honor that I will cherish for many years.”