Northport Officer Honored For Saving Choking Victim

A Northport Police Officer was recently presented the American Heart Association’s Life Saver Award for saving a choking victim last year.

On Nov. 14, 2017, Officer Gregory Cerar responded to a call for a man choking at a home in Northport Village. He found the man unconscious, not breathing and with a complete airway blockage. Cerar performed the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged the food from the man's throat.

Cerar was presented the award on Monday at the Crest Hollow Country Club. The man he saved, Steven Radgowski, was present at the event.

Northport resident Karen Acompora presented the award to Cerar. Acompora has worked tirelessly with the American Heart Association to have Automated External Defibrillators made more accessible to the public after her son Louis suffered a heart attack and died while playing lacrosse in 2000.

Image via Northport Police: (l-r) Violet Radgowski, Karen Acompora, Steven Radgowski (the choking victim), Lisa Radgowski and Officer Greg Cerar.