NORCROSS, Georgia — Norcross Police Officer Gabriel Veras Jr. has received national recognition after his response to a child in cardiac arrest helped save a 3-year-old’s life, according to Rough Draft Atlanta, which cited an announcement from the City of Norcross and its police department.
The local report said Veras was named a 2026 TOP COPS Honorable Mention recipient by the National Association of Police Organizations, representing Georgia.
The TOP COPS Awards recognize law-enforcement officers across the country for actions that go beyond the call of duty in service to their communities, according to the report.
What happened in Norcross
Rough Draft Atlanta reported that Veras responded on April 7, 2025, to a medical emergency in the Rails Way area involving a 3-year-old child in cardiac arrest.
Arriving before emergency medical personnel, Veras assessed the child and began lifesaving measures, including chest compressions and rescue breaths, according to the city announcement cited in the report.
The report said Veras restored the child’s pulse and breathing and continued providing care until paramedics arrived. The child made a full recovery.
Communications Officer Carin Elmore was also credited in earlier recognition for sending Veras to the scene before additional information came from Gwinnett County, a decision the report said may have helped save the child’s life.
Recognition for a lifesaving response
Last September, Veras and Elmore received the Scottish Rite Valley of Atlanta Arthur M. Kaplan First Responder Award for their lifesaving efforts, according to the same report.
Norcross Police Chief Bill Grogan said Veras’ actions showed “the very best of law enforcement,” according to Rough Draft Atlanta.
“His courage, professionalism, and dedication to serving others helped save the life of a young child and made a lasting difference for an entire family,” Grogan said, according to the report. “We are incredibly proud of his accomplishment and grateful to have him serving the Norcross community.”
Gov. Brian Kemp also wrote a letter recognizing Veras’ achievement and his commitment to protecting Georgia residents, the report said.
For Support Law Enforcement readers, the Norcross story is a reminder that patrol work can turn into a pediatric medical emergency with almost no warning — and that the first officer through the door may be the bridge between crisis and recovery.
Sources reviewed
Editorial note: ThinBlueNews kept the child unnamed and did not add medical details beyond what the source report publicly attributed to the City of Norcross and Norcross Police Department.