Montgomery County officer performs CPR to save baby's life during traffic stop

GAITHERSBURG, Md. - A Montgomery County police officer is being credited with saving the life of a 9-month-old girl while performing a traffic stop in Gaithersburg.

Officer James Herman was on his way home after completing his patrol shift when he pulled a vehicle over on northbound Interstate 270 near the Muddy Branch Road exit Sunday afternoon. During the traffic stop, another vehicle pulled over behind the officer's cruiser. Two people, who identified themselves as the baby's grandmother and another family member, came out of their vehicle and told the officer the girl was unresponsive.

Police say Officer Herman held the girl in his arms and began to perform CPR on her. Kenzlee Mae Cushman regained consciousness after the lifesaving measure.

"Then the baby started to come through because when the gentleman handed me the baby, the eyes were starting to roll back, and she became attentive and it seemed like it happened real fast," said Herman.

The 11-year veteran of the police department then alerted fire and rescue personnel to respond to the scene.

"I am told that this child is doing better and only still alive due to the quick actions of Officer Herman and the unknown civilian who assisted him in providing this life-saving intervention," said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen E. Mann.

The young child's parent said the emergency was a result of her pre-existing medical condition. They say she is fine and is now being treated at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia.

The family told us they have already called the officer to thank him.

"I am very proud that Officer Herman was in the right place at the right time to save this infant's life," said Montgomery County Police Commander David Falcinelli. "He followed his training and his efforts resulted in a positive outcome. He is an excellent representative of the dedication and professionalism that Montgomery County Police officers possess."

Authorities say they are also thankful for the assistance of Brody Channell, a firefighter with the Little Rock, Arkansas Fire Department. Channell pulled over his vehicle on the side of the road to offer help during the situation. He was in the area attending the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Channell's father was a firefighter who was killed in the line of duty last year.