Melvindale cop recognized as Officer of the Year for off-duty emergency response
NOVI, Mich. (FOX 2) - Despite being off-duty and ready to go to sleep, Melvindale Police Officer Mohamed Hachem jumped into action when he heard someone in his neighborhood was in distress.
In early August, Hachem's nearby neighbors were in a panic as their 3-year-old boy was choking on food. After hearing the call on his dispatch radio, he knew exactly where to go.
"I dodged out the door," Hachem said. "I heard screaming."
The off-duty officer ran to the scene alongside his brother and provided first aid to the child, saving his life.
That's why, on Friday, Hachem was recognized as Officer of the Year by the Michigan Association of Police (MAP).
"I had to get there because the police cars that were arriving on scene were coming from a distance," he said,
'Not today': Off-duty Melvindale police officer saves choking toddler in Dearborn
A Melvindale off-duty police officer heard his neighbors in a panic and jumped into action to save a little boy who was choking on his food. And his heroic actions were all caught on camera.
Hacham has not been out of the police academy long. In fact, he is still an officer-in-training with the Melvindale Police Department.
"We couldn’t be prouder of him," said Chad Trussler, the director of MAP. "I think this is the type of stuff that exemplifies what police officers do."
Even before Hacham joined the Melvindale Police Department, he rendered aid to another child at that same house when he was in the police academy.
"That’s why I wanted to make sure he’s well noticed," said Lt. Robert Kennaley with Melvindale police.
The stress of losing his own father forced Hachem to temporarily leave the police academy, but his instructors supported him when he returned and completed his training. Although Hachem is proud of his achievement, he wishes that his father could be here to celebrate his award with him.
"I know he hears me and sees me right now – he raised a man," Hachem said.