A Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Detective is being honored for saving the life of a 1-year-old.
Detective Christopher MacAuley received the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for his efforts.
On June 21, 2019, Detective MacAuley was patrolling the 3300 block of Orcutt Road in Santa Maria, when he was flagged down by a distraught father who was carrying his limp 1-year-old child. The child was unconscious and not breathing.
Detective MacAuley performed live-saving efforts on the child and was able to dislodge a small piece of plastic the child had swallowed.
MacAuley says he had never seen a look as horrifying as the face of the father when he handed him his child.
“I am just glad that I was there, and able to get the child breathing again. I was as relieved as the father,” Detective MacAuley said.
Detective MacAuley is a 10-year veteran of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
