Westfield Police Officer Commended For Thanksgiving Save At Home

WESTFIELD, NJ — A police officer's job never really takes a break, and Westfield Police commended one officer's actions that served as that perfect example.

The Westfield Police Department commended Officer Donald Piccaico for his quick thinking on Thanksgiving that saved a relative right at the dinner table. The department received an email over the holiday weekend from Piccaico’s family member, Gary Payne, detailing the incident.

Piccaico was off-duty, enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, when his uncle started choking on food. Another family member noticed his uncle in distress and called Piccaico over for help — he immediately ran over and performed the Heimlich.

The food popped out and Piccaico's uncle was okay for the rest of the night.

"We commend Officer Picciano’s commitment to public safety, both on-duty and off," the department wrote on Facebook.