NICEVILLE, Fla. — An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy received a Life Saving Award after she saved a choking restaurant patron while off duty in Andalusia, Alabama, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) announced.
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The incident happened on October 31, 2025, when Deputy Michelle Spooneybarger was dining at a restaurant, and a man began choking and was unable to clear the obstruction on his own.
Deputy Spooneybarger immediately assessed the emergency and reportedly directed bystanders to call 911 while she began providing aid.
Using her training and experience, she performed the Heimlich maneuver and successfully dislodged the obstruction after several abdominal thrusts, restoring the man’s breathing.
Family members of the man expressed gratitude for her actions, and witnesses reportedly praised her professionalism and quick response even while off duty.
The OCSO said Deputy Spooneybarger’s actions prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
Deputy Spooneybarger has now received her second Life Saving Award from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
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