TRIBAL POLICE SAVE 2-YEAR-OLD
Officers Larry Edgely and Tina Sunday Paid Surprise Visit by Thankful Parents

AKWESASNE, NY — Angela Plante and Darren Burnell visited the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department on August 24^th to express their appreciation for the help that they received from police officers Larry Edgely and Tina Sunday. The parents credited the two officers with having saved the life of their 2-year-old son Alex while they were visiting family the previous weekend.

The couple traveled from New Brunswick , Maine to Akwesasne on August 20th to visit the mother's cousin when their young son began experiencing an allergic reaction to pistachios. It was the first time that the young boy ate pistachios, which prevented them from knowing about their child's medical condition.

That all changed however, when after a few nuts, Alex's face suddenly swelled and he experienced difficulty breathing.

When asked what her initial response was upon seeing her son's allergic reaction, Plante said, "I was terrified." The young mother added, "I really didn't know what to do."

The women's cousin wasted no time in picking-up the phone and calling the Tribal Police Department for assistance. Within minutes, Officers Edgely and Sunday were on the scene to assist.

"I was amazed at their response time," said Burnett. The relieved father noted, "It seemed like only a few minutes and they were there. If they had been a minute later, I don't know what would have happened to my son."

After the mother explained what happened, Officer Edgely went to work attending to the young child. As the mother held her child tight, Officer Edgely checked the child's throat for any obstructions that could be blocking the airway. He also tilted Alex's head slightly, enabling the child to continue breathing.

At the same time, Officer Sunday attended to the remaining distraught family members and kept them calm.

Soon after dispatching Officers Edgely and Sunday, the Tribal Police Dispatcher notified Mohawk Council of Akwesasne's Emergency Medical Team. The ambulance was on the scene only minutes after the two police officers arrived.

Upon arriving, the Emergency Medical Technicians took over and hoisted Alex into the ambulance. The young boy was quickly transported to the Massena Memorial Hospital , where he spent the night for observation. 

Alex didn't have any complications and was released from the hospital the next day to two thankful parents.

The parents were so appreciative of Alex's recovery that they made a surprise visit to the Tribal Police Department a few days later. They wanted to show their appreciation and to personally thank Officers Edgely and Sunday for saving their child's life.

As a 10-year veteran of the Tribal Police, Officer Edgely had this to say when asked how he felt about saving the child’s life, “That is why I'm in this business." He also stated that during his decade of work, this was the first time he had to respond to a situation involving a child as young as Alex.

Officer Sunday noted however, that the credit of saving the child's life is also owed in part to the quick response of MCA's Emergency Medical Team.

Tribal Police Chief Andrew Thomas is pleased with the work of his two officers in saving Alex's life. Thomas said, "I'm very proud of my officers for the assistance they provided.” 

Thomas is also appreciative of the support the Emergency Medical Team provided, stating, “This echoes the need within our community for all local emergency services to work together.”

Minutes after thanking Officer Edgely and Sunday, the young parents began their return trip back to Maine . Grateful for the quick response of the Tribal Police Department and that Alex was still with them.

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