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The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office recognized Deputy Robert Fertal with the Life Saving award for his heroic actions on May 6, 2022.

Deputy Robert Fertal, assigned to the patrol division, agreed to fill in for the School Resource Officer at a local High School. During the first period, Deputy Fertal was called and responded to a classroom medical emergency that involved a 17-year-old student lying on the floor, unresponsive, and not breathing. Students told Deputy Fertal the student had been choking on some food, and attempts had been made by some of the students and the teacher to help but were unsuccessful. 

Deputy Fertal revived the unresponsive student by following his training and administering chest compressions to the choking student, who dispelled the blockage and began breathing on their own.

The teacher at the time of the incident said that if Deputy Fertal had not been there and taken immediate action, the student would have perished. Deputy Fertal stayed calm during the incident and saved the student's life.

Sheriff Steve Prator, Deputy Robert Fertal, and Deputy Fertal's Son are in the picture.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Brandon Fountain