Two Cleveland Police Officers honoured by Middlesbrough’s Mayor

Two police officers whose quick-thinking heroism saved a baby’s life have been honoured at a special ceremony at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

PC Tom Cannon and PC Dom Taylor were presented with special Commendation certificates by Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke.

The pair were first on the scene after two-day-old Mahamad Hawsar’s parents called 999 when the infant stopped breathing at the home of a family friend in Middlesbrough on December 11.

Discovering the child apparently lifeless in his mother’s arms, PC Cannon performed CPR until he began to breathe again while PC Taylor reassured his parents and obtained vital information.

The youngster has since made a full recovery.

Pic left to right: Hawsar Andulla Hamad (Mahamad's father), PC Tom Cannon, Kale Hamakirm (Mahamad's mother), baby Mahamad, PC Dom Taylor.

When the officers were reunited with Mahamad’s grateful parents last month, Dad Hawsar Abdulla Hamad said: “I am really thankful they brought my baby back to life.

“I appreciate the work they did, they deserve lots of praise - I wish I could pay them back.

“I wish them and their families all the best for the future and wish them all the health in the world.”

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster said: “Our officers never know what they’re going to face from one day to the next.

“On this occasion PC Cannon and PC Taylor saved a life and I’m incredibly proud of them.

“Their calmness and quick thinking in the most traumatic of circumstances embodies the very finest values of British policing and they thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

Former soldier PC Cannon said: “The parents were understandably extremely distressed, but after two tours of Afghanistan, difficult situations and trauma don’t usually faze me, and my training just kicked in.

“The enormity of what had happened only sank later and I thought about my own kids – I had to wake them up and give them a cuddle when I got home.”

PC Taylor added: “As we ran towards the family the baby wasn’t moving or making a sound.

“His mother was very distressed, in floods of tears and was struggling to communicate with officers as she only spoke Kurdish – we were lucky to be in the right place at exactly the right time.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, who presented the commendation certificates to the two officers at Middlesbrough Town Hall, said: “Our police officers do an incredibly difficult job day in, day out, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

“In saving young Mahamad Hawsar’s life, PC Cannon and PC Taylor showed exceptional professionalism and calmness under pressure, and they are a credit to themselves and the Cleveland force.

“These commendations are recognition on behalf of the whole town, and they are richly deserved.”

Pic left to right: Longlands & Beechwood ward Cllr Joan McTigue who suggested the officers receive special recognition on behalf of the town, PC Tom Cannon, Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, PC Dom Taylor, Cllr Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Community Safety