Acworth Police Corporal Tamara Severtson is making headlines again for her life-saving actions. This past Tuesday, Severtson came to the aid of Steven Williams who was choking on a water bottle cap, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Williams had called 911 around 10:30 a.m., while at the intersection of New McEver Road and Acworth Industrial Drive. Within a minute, Severtson was on the scene and used a LifeVac device, a portable airway clearance tool, to dislodge the obstruction from Williams' throat.
"We run on medical emergencies all the time, but generally, not choking calls," Severtson remarked in a statement acquired by FOX 5 Atlanta. Her swift response and use of the LifeVac device, which was captured on body camera footage, stood between a close brush with fatality and relief as Williams stood beside her, recovered after the incident. In 2024, a previous rescue involving a 90-year-old woman choking led the department, to outfit every officer with the LifeVac, knowing well that brain damage can start within 4–6 minutes without oxygen.
Hailed as a hero, Severtson's actions highlight the importance of equipping law enforcement with specialized medical tools. As informed by WSB Radio, the Acworth Police Department credits her quick intervention for directly contributing to saving Williams' life.
In May of last year, Severtson used a LifeVac device to save a man named Gerald Harmon from choking. Her quick action highlights both the dedication of the department to public safety and the importance of tools like LifeVac. Choking is a serious danger, causing about 5,000 deaths each year and ranking as the fourth leading cause of accidental death, according to Acworth police.
