[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 12, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E617-E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SOUTH BEND POLICE OFFICER DAN NAPOLITAN FOR HIS LIFESAVING 
                                ACTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RUDY YAKYM, III

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2024

  Mr. YAKYM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize South Bend Police Officer 
Dan Napolitan, whose quick thinking and decisive action last month 
likely saved the life of one of his coworkers.
  On the evening of May 6, 2024, Officer Napolitan was working the 
front desk at the South Bend Police Department. Normally, Dan would 
have been out walking the beat or patrolling the streets of South Bend 
that night. However, sidelined by a foot injury, Officer Napolitan had 
recently started light duty assignment while his foot healed.
  As he was working, Dan noticed something was wrong when his coworker 
seated nearby started coughing forcefully. When she stood up from her 
chair and began walking toward him, Officer Napolitan immediately 
realized that she was choking. Acting quickly, Dan delivered several 
back blows to his coworker to try to dislodge the food, but she 
continued to struggle to breathe. Dan then performed the Heimlich 
maneuver and some additional back blows, which ultimately cleared his 
coworker's airway and averted an even scarier outcome. Officer 
Napolitan's ability to keep a clear head and execute quickly and 
professionally under pressure likely saved his coworker's life.
  For his actions, Officer Napolitan has already been recognized with 
the South Bend Police Department's Lifesaving Award; an award presented 
to those who have shown

[[Page E618]]

exceptional courage and learned measures in order to save lives. I am 
proud to recognize Officer Napolitan.
  I and Hoosiers throughout Indiana's Second Congressional District are 
extremely grateful to Officer Napolitan on this occasion and to all our 
law enforcement officials serving on the Thin Blue Line for the 
dedicated--and often dangerous--work they do day in and day out to go 
after the bad guys and keep our communities safe. God bless Officer Dan 
Napolitan and all those who protect and serve.

                          ____________________