Lincoln school resource officer saves choking student

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A school resource officer is being praised for his quick actions on Wednesday.

Just before 9 a.m., Officer Robert Brenner was in the hallway at Scott Middle School when a paraeducator came out of a classroom with a child who was choking.

“I administered the Heimlich maneuver for concern that there was a blockage,” Brenner recounted. “Then we called for medical assistance to come to the school.”

His quick thinking and training got that student the help they needed.

“Every two years, we go through a CPR class that has as part of it, administering the Heimlich maneuver,” Brenner said.

But Brenner said this was the first time he’s done this for real.

“In 26 years, have never administered the Heimlich maneuver,” he said. “This is my first time.”

Brenner said as an SRO, it’s important to build a trusting relationship with students and staff, especially on days like this.

“Made a lot of great contacts with administrators, other teachers,” he said. “I have a couple students that I still follow, they’re into high school now. Have great relationship building, contact them and see how they’re doing.”

This comes just a week after SRO Nolan Hauser responded to a fight between two students at Lincoln High School.

Brenner said SROs are there to help with situations large or small.

He said they also help to get kids more comfortable with police.

“If they have an interaction with a police officer, they can reflect back on the interactions they had with me and feel comfortable around police officers and talk to them,” Brenner said.