Heroic Heimlich! Off-duty New Jersey police officer captured on video saving choking man's life in front of his son
- New Jersey State Trooper Dennis Palaia was with his son watching a football game when he noticed a nearby diner exhibiting signs of distress
- Surveillance footage captured tense moments as police officer performs life-saving first aid maneuver to clear the choking man's airway
- Unnamed victim expressed his eternal gratitude to the officer for saving his life
- Palaia 'undoubtedly prevented a tragedy,' police state in praise as hundreds of social media users laud trooper for his quick, life-saving action
An off-duty New Jersey police officer has been lauded as a 'hero' after he quickly acted to save a man from choking at a restaurant.
New Jersey State Trooper Dennis Palaia was with his son watching a football game on Sunday at a Buffalo Wild Wings branch in Rockaway Township, New Jersey when he noticed a distressed man sitting nearby, according to police.
Palaia immediately rushed to the dining man, who was showing signs of difficulty breathing.
Off-duty New Jersey State Trooper Dennis Palaia (seated left then standing left) rushes to a choking man (seated right) at a restaurant in Rockaway Township on Sunday, October 22, 2017
Palaia immediately helped the dining man, who was showing signs of difficulty breathing.
'Recognizing that the man was choking, he immediately began the Heimlich Maneuver,' police said on Facebook.
After four abdominal thrusts, the off-duty police officer was able to clear the choking man's airway.
New Jersey State Trooper Dennis Palaia (pictured), who saved a choking man while off-duty
Police said that the man was then able to resume breathing and his skin tone - which had changed during the traumatic incident - had returned to its natural color.
The so-far unnamed victim expressed his eternal gratitude to Palaia for saving his life.
Apart from a sore throat and some aching ribs, police reported that the man has since made a full recovery.
New Jersey State Police on Wednesday posted surveillance footage to social media of the episode and hailed Palaia as a hero, 'whose quick and decisive actions undoubtedly prevented a tragedy'.
'Phenomenal job Trooper Palaia! #Attaboy!' police wrote on Facebook.
The black-and-white footage shows Palaia rushing over to the choking man, who was also with a child, and successfully delivering the first aid procedure.
Palaia is then seen comforting the man as he is able to stand up following the ordeal.
The video had received more than 100,000 views as of Thursday morning.
In light of his valiant actions and the footage shared by police, Palaia has since garnered mass praise from the social media world with hundreds of people chiming in with applause.
After four abdominal thrusts, the off-duty police officer was able to clear the choking man's airway
He then comforted the unnamed diner in the video that has been watched more than 100,000 times
The diner made a full recovery after the incident and thanked Trooper Palaia for his efforts
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