A school employee and a Quitman city police officer have been recognized for their efforts in saving a high school student from choking in May near the end of school.

A Quitman Police Department Life-Saving Award was presented to Quitman school aide Jim Pritchard and Officer Victor Taylor for their efforts in saving a young man’s life who had swallowed a water bottle cap and was choking.

The plaque on Taylor’s award stated, “Without hesitation, you helped a student by performing the Heimlich maneuver saving the student’s life. Your actions reflect the highest standards of conduct for the law enforcement profession, bringing great credit to the Quitman Police Department.”

On Pritchard’s plaque it stated, “You and Officer Victor Taylor helped a student without hesitation who was choking of a water bottle cap, by performing the Heimlich maneuver, saving the student’s life. Your actions reflect the highest standard of conduct for your profession.”

The plaques were awarded at the Quitman Police Department last Thursday afternoon.