Troopers Handling Routine Call Hear Screams For Help, Sprint To Save Baby

March 26, 2026

Two Maryland State troopers are being hailed as heroes after saving a choking infant — proving how training and instinct can make the difference between tragedy and relief.

Maryland State Police bodycam footage

Trooper First Class Taylor Hersh and Corporal Jonathan Stoltzfus were handling an unrelated call across the street when a frantic grandmother rushed up to them with a baby who was unable to breathe.

The situation was critical, and there was no time to waste.

Bodycam footage shows the troopers sprinting over to the woman and immediately performing life-saving measures.

Within moments, they were able to clear the infant’s airway, restoring the child’s ability to breathe and bringing a terrifying ordeal to a safe ending.

Maryland State Police later emphasized just how crucial their response was, saying, “Without hesitation, the troopers immediately began lifesaving measures and were able to clear the infant’s airway… Their quick actions and training made all the difference, preventing what could have been yet another tragic outcome.”

For Hersh, the intense moment was a clear example of how preparation takes over when every second counts.

“All the good training that we have, it just becomes second nature at that point,” he said. “We’re presented with critical situations a lot of times, and from that experience, you kind of just learn to stay calm and just not hesitate.”

Stoltzfus added that situations like this highlight the wide-ranging role troopers play in their communities, often beyond what people expect.

“A lot of people look at the state police and think we’re traffic cops… But what people don’t realize — in Southern Maryland specifically — is we do everything,” he said. “We do everything from going to medical calls to a traffic accident, to dealing with situations like this.”

Thanks to their swift response and steady composure, what could have ended in heartbreak instead became a story of relief and gratitude.

“Job well done by Maryland's Finest!👏” Maryland State Police wrote.