Yesterday afternoon, a UCSO deputy was called into action when approached by a frantic student experiencing an urgent medical emergency at a local high school. Deputy Chris Byrum, the School Resource Officer for Weddington High School, was in the cafeteria when one of his students frantically ran up to him while holding and pointing at his throat. Deputy Byrum immediately realized that the student was choking on something he had eaten and swiftly put his training and experience to work. Deputy Byrum administered numerous abdominal thrusts to the student's abdomen area which resulted in the object being expelled from the obstructed airway. Deputy Byrum, along with several Union County Public Schools staff members, continued to monitor the student's condition and we are thankful to report that he has made a full recovery.

The UCSO is extremely thankful that Deputy Byrum was in the right place at the right time to provide critical assistance to the student in need. Deputy Byrum has been assigned to Weddington High School since October 2015 and has received numerous accolades for his dedicated service, including the UCPS School Resource Officer of the Year award (2022) and the C.C. Mcgee School Resource Officer of the Year award for the State of North Carolina (2022).

Sheriff Eddie Cathey adds “This student was scared and facing a major medical emergency. Amid all that was going on, he knew he could run to his School Resource Officer for immediate assistance and Deputy Byrum did not let him down. This life-saving incident is just another example of the importance and significance of the relationships built between our SROs and the students, staff, and parents they serve and protect each day.”

UCSO Point of Contact for this Press Release is Lt. James Maye at (704)506-6843