WOODBRIDGE, Conn. — Officer Nicholas Samartino of the Woodbridge Police Department is being hailed as a hero after saving the life of a 5-day-old infant who was choking and struggling to breathe during the final week of May 2026, according to multiple local reports and the department.

Samartino responded to a residence during the late evening hours after receiving a report that a newborn was choking and experiencing difficulty breathing, the Hartford Courant reported.

Upon arrival, Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant. Moments later, he transitioned to suctioning the infant’s airway, providing critical life-saving care.

“His prompt actions successfully cleared the obstruction, and the infant soon began crying, bringing immense relief to everyone present,” Woodbridge Police Chief Ronald Smith said in a statement.

“Samartino is credited with successfully clearing the infant’s airway and helping to save the child’s life. The infant’s parents expressed their sincere gratitude, crediting Officer Samartino’s swift and decisive actions with saving their newborn’s life,” Smith added.

The infant was subsequently transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.

Community reaction

The Woodbridge Police Department shared the story on Facebook, where hundreds of community members posted comments thanking Samartino for his quick actions, according to Patch.

“God bless you, Officer Samartino (and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that spell check insisted on changing your name to Samaritan- twice!). Thank you for your service and heroism,” one Facebook user commented.

“Not all heroes wear capes, Nor do all angels on earth have wings that you can see, yet many do wear a blue badge of service — and when it matters most, they show up,” wrote another community member.

Why this story matters

Every year, law enforcement officers respond to medical emergencies where seconds matter. This incident highlights the critical role officers play in emergency medical response — especially for the most vulnerable members of their communities.

For Support Law Enforcement readers, Officer Samartino’s lifesaving actions are a powerful reminder that police work is often about being in the right place at the right time with the right training, a calm hand, and the courage to act.

Note: The infant’s family has not been named publicly. ThinBlueNews is not identifying any private individuals involved in this call.

Sources reviewed

Editorial note: ThinBlueNews used a real official Woodbridge Police Department photo of Officer Samartino from the Patch article. No staged, AI-generated, or fictional rescue imagery was used. The infant and family remain anonymous, and no private medical details beyond the public reporting have been included.