62. VCSO deputy recognized for 'job well done' in reviving baby

Deputy Cody Cochran, shown here at left with Sheriff Ben Johnson, during a medal presentation Aug. 7 in Daytona Beach, is being lauded for heroism in reviving a baby boy.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Back in May, just halfway through his rookie year, Volusia County Sheriff's Deputy Cody Cochran responded to a 9-1-1 call radioed from dispatch for an unconscious baby boy that had fallen into a family pool in Deltona.

The child had been removed from the pool, but was limp and unresponsive and had no pulse, when the 22-year-old deputy arrived on scene. The 1-year-old toddler's life was now in Cochran's hands. 

"Without a moment to spare, Cochran quickly took charged of the chaotic scene and began administering CPR to the child as he had been taught in his first aid instruction," Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

"After about 30 seconds of CPR, the baby showed its first signs of life as it started to moan and breathe on its own. The baby was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but has since made a full recovery." 

The story os heroism comes in at No. 62 in Headline Surfer's countdown of the top 100 local stories of 2012.

In less than a minute, a life had been rescued, thanks to Cochran. On Aug. 7, Sheriff Ben Johnson took time out to praise Cochran's poise and fast actions on May 25. And for his life-saving heroics, Cochran was awarded the agency's Medal of Merit.

The award was presented during a ceremony this morning in Daytona Beach in front of a large crowd of co-workers who gave Cochran a standing ovation.

"It's not often in a career that someone can come home after a day's work and say: 'Today, I saved a child's life,' " the sheriff told his young deputy. "We're very proud of you for a job well done."

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