Suffolk County Police officer saves choking woman in Medford

MEDFORD, Long Island (WABC) -- A Suffolk County Police officer is being hailed as a hero for saving a choking woman.

At a home in Medford on Saturday night, Officer Bryan Mastrangelo found a woman struggling to breathe, because a pepper got lodged in her throat.

Mastrangelo performed the Heimlich Maneuver, and the pepper popped out. The woman is fine.

The officer says helping the woman left him with a good feeling.

"It's always better to help someone and save a life than to arrest someone," Officer Mastrangelo said, "There's nothing better to know that someone could be walking...and watching the Super Bowl with their family."

Mastrangelo has been on the force for five years. He is also a volunteer with the Sayville Ambulance Corps.