By Pat Culverhouse

Chow time at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on the last day of January had begun as usual. Corrections officer Deputy David Dick had taken his post at the entrance, watching as inmates settled in for their meals.

But, when he changed positions to better scan the room, he noticed one inmate quickly come to his feet, apparently in distress.

“He just suddenly stood up and I went over to see if there was a problem,” Dick remembered. “As I came closer, it was obvious he was choking on something. His lips were beginning to turn blue.”

Dick immediately went to the inmate, turned him and began to perform the Heimlich maneuver. It’s a series of rapid compressions applied above the belly button and below the ribcage, putting force on the diaphragm to expel air out of the lungs and remove the blockage.

“On the second push, the obstruction popped right out and he started breathing regularly,” Dick said. “We were having hot dogs, and a piece of it got stuck.”

Dick said he learned the basics of the Heimlich on a previous job and had received additional CPR instruction from the Sheriff’s Office. He is also scheduled to begin EMR classes through the Office for advanced instruction.

For his quick action in a potential life-threatening situation, Dick was honored Monday with a Life Saving Award plaque from Sheriff Jason Parker.

On the plaque, Dick is honored for “…outstanding performance in the saving of a human life, and the display of conspicuous initiative, capability and attention to duty, thereby earning respect and admiration for himself and the Office.”

Parker said the deputy’s actions also represent the mission of the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“We take an oath to serve the people of Webster Parish and to do our best to ensure their safety. That extends also to the people in our custody,” Parker said when presenting the award.