Five Union County deputies honored for rescuing choking man at Waxhaw restaurant

Five deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Office received the Lifesaver Award during a recent meeting after helping a 78-year-old man who was choking at a Waxhaw restaurant on May 4, 2025.

Meeting remarks said the deputies, members of the Baker Squad Patrol Division, were dining at Stacks restaurant in Waxhaw when they noticed the man struggling to breathe. One deputy performed the Heimlich maneuver while others called for EMS and fire assistance; the meal was dislodged and the man was able to breathe on his own, according to the transcript of the meeting.

The meeting record notes the man made a full recovery and did not require hospitalization. A speaker identified in the transcript as a staff member described the incident as “truly amazing,” saying it illustrated how frequently agency employees encounter emergencies while on duty.

The award presentation recognized the deputies’ “quick and courageous actions,” according to the transcript. The remarks said five deputies were being awarded the Lifesaver Award for their response; the transcript identifies them collectively but does not list individual names.

The discussion during the meeting was brief and focused on the incident and the presentation of the award; no formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript regarding this item. The transcript indicates this was a recognition item rather than a policy or budget action.

No further follow-up actions or investigations were detailed in the meeting record. The transcript does not specify the individual deputies’ names, the exact time of the incident beyond the May 4, 2025 date, or whether the award carries any additional departmental consequences or benefits.