Troopers Save the Day at TPs Cafe

STAMFORD –  Two troopers having lunch with a group of retired troopers on Wednesday at TP's Cafe´in Stamford saved the day for a local woman when she began choking.

Sharon, who asked that we not use her last name, said she had surgery on her neck years ago and it has  created a situation where she has to make sure she drinks something and not talk while she is eating. "There's a small part of my throat that doesn't work quite right, so I just have to pay attention. I do choke sometimes and I have learned not to panic."

When she goes somewhere to eat, she kind of scouts it out to see who she thinks might be able to help her just in case she begins to choke. 

On Wednesday, she was enjoying lunch at TP's Cafe ́ with her cousin. "I said something to my cousin and my food got stuck. I went over to the table where the  troopers were seated and they helped."

The group was celebrating a recent retirement and had gathered at TP's for lunch.

Trooper James Vlahakis and Trooper Siobhan Carey jumped into action. Vlahakis tried and then Carey, who was successful in dislodging the food.

"When I went over to thank her later, she said that was her first time doing the Heimlich maneuver. I grabbed her and showed her where to place her hands, she did it, and the food popped out."

Sharon said was feeling fine afterward, but decided to take the rest of her meal home. "I had had enough to eat at that time. I am very grateful to the troopers for helping me."

"I was very impressed and relieved at how calm the troopers stayed and also very thankful that the woman was okay," said Heather Clark, TP's owner.   "She was clearly in distress."