Plainfield - On 01-01-2012, shortly after 07:30 PM, Master Trooper Dan Hearon was off duty (out of uniform) and eating dinner with his wife at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Plainfield, Indiana.  As 90-year-old female, Miss Betty Bayse, began choking at the table just beside him, M/Trp. Hearon quickly realized that Ms. Bayse was unable to breathe.

According to eyewitness accounts, M/Trp. Hearon calmly went to Miss Bayse’ table and offered his assistance to her family.  M/Trp. Hearon then performed the Heimlich maneuver on Miss Bayse, which resulted in the dislodging of what Miss Bayse was choking on.  Emergency Medical Personnel were called to the scene while M/Trp. Hearon remained with Miss Bayse and kept her and her family calm until their arrival.  Miss Bayse was checked by the medical personnel and found not to be in need of being transported to the hospital.

In addition, witnesses indicated that M/Trp. Hearon attempted to buy Miss Bayse and her family their meals once everything got back to normal.  Miss Bayse and her family have since contacted the Indiana State Police with their sincere thanks for M/Trp. Hearon’s professionalism and calm demeanor.  Miss Bayse’ daughter stated that “M/Trp. Hearon seemed like an angel to my family and his quick actions, without question, saved my mother’s life.”

M/Trp. Hearon has been a member of the Indiana State Police for 16 years.  He is currently a K-9 patrol officer stationed out of the Bloomington Post and primarily patrols Morgan County.