Off-duty trooper rings in new year by saving woman's life
PLAINFIELD -- Shortly after 7:30 p.m. on New Year's Day, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Dan Hearon was off duty and out of uniform, eating dinner with his wife at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Plainfield.
Little did he know that a few minutes later he would be hailed as a hero.
As 90-year-old Betty Bayse began choking at the table just beside him, Master Trooper Hearon quickly realized she was unable to breathe.
According to eyewitness accounts, Master Trooper Hearon calmly went to Miss Bayse' table and offered his assistance to her family.
The ISP officer then performed the Heimlich maneuver on the victim, which resulted in the food she was choking on being dislodged.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene while Master Trooper Hearon remained with Miss Bayse and kept her and her family calm until the ambulance arrived.
Medical personnel, who determined she would not be in need of being transported to the hospital, checked the elderly woman.
In addition, witnesses indicated that Hearon graciously attempted to buy Miss Bayse and her family their meals once everything got back to normal.
Miss Bayse and her family have since contacted the Indiana State Police with their sincere thanks for Master Trooper Hearon's professionalism and calm demeanor.
"Master Trooper Hearon seemed like an angel to the family," the woman's daughter said, adding that "without question, his quick actions saved my mother's life."
Hearon has been a member of the Indiana State Police for 16 years.
Formerly assigned to the Putnamville Post, he is currently a K-9 patrol officer stationed out of the Bloomington Post and primarily patrols Morgan County.