Off-Duty Boston Cop Saves Choking Man At KFC

ROSLINDALE, MA — When off-duty Boston police officer Peter Cazeau walked into the Kentucky Fried Chicken on the American Legion Highway recently, he didn't expect to save a men's life. But that's just what happened, police announced this weekend.

"I was standing in line ready to order when I see this guy, a big guy about 6’2” tall, running towards the counter," said Cazeau, a 23-year veteran of the force in a statement. "At first, I thought he was a disgruntled customer looking to complain about his order. But, then, I realized this guy needed help."

Cazeau realized that the man, later identified as 45-year-old Alexander Lisek of Roslindale, was holding his hands up to his throat, the universal sign for choking. That's when Cazeua said his CPR training kicked in.

Channeling Jane Sheehan, a retired Boston EMT who provided CPR training to police recruits during her time at the Boston Police Academy, Cazeau wrapped his arms around the choking man and began administering the Heimlich maneuver.

“Shout out to Jane Sheehan at the Boston Police Academy because the training she provided and has provided to so many over the years kicked in right away," said Cazeau.

Lisek regained his breath after regurgitating a chicken bone that had lodged in his throat. Cazeua guided Lisek to a nearby chair to recover. Later Lisek said he went to the hospital to get checked out.

"He absolutely saved my life,” Lisek said in a statement. "There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Officer Cazeau ... I’m just so glad he was there. Everybody else seemed frozen. Not sure what to do. But, not him. He stepped up and saved my life."

Lisek told Patch he went home and kissed his children, grateful to be alive that night and hoping to do something nice for the officer, a man he and his family consider a hero.

Cazeau said he doesn’t consider himself a hero.

"Honestly, I just feel fortunate I was in the right place at the right time to help," he said in a statement. "Whether you’re a police officer or civilian, anybody can do what I did. But, clearly, being familiar with the Heimlich and knowing the universal sign for choking made all the difference."