Newly released video depicts the harrowing moment three El Monte police officers saved a boy’s life earlier this week. 

The officers initially responded to an emergency call on Monday around 8 p.m. regarding a choking child; the exact location of the incident was not released.

Officer Raul Vega was the first to arrive on scene and found the 8-year-old boy, identified by police as Ethan Cante, unconscious and not breathing due to a piece of candy blocking his airways. 

A second officer arriving on scene, Officer Dennis Chiu, provided an anti-choking device called LifeVac to clear the young boy’s airways and “prevent a potentially dire outcome for Ethan,” police said. 

  • Three El Monte police officers are being credited with saving an 8-year-old boy’s life on Monday, June 3, 2024. (El Monte PD)
  • Three El Monte police officers are being credited with saving an 8-year-old boy’s life on Monday, June 3, 2024. (El Monte PD)
  • Three El Monte police officers are being credited with saving an 8-year-old boy’s life on Monday, June 3, 2024. (El Monte PD)

The El Monte Police Department had purchased 200 LifeVac devices in April, authorities said, adding that Ethan was the first person to have it used on him since they were acquired. 

“Luckily, with my partners and the training we had, we were able to get the candy out,” Officer Vega said. “This [device] is a life saver.” 

“Every parent should have one in their house and their car,” he added. 

Ethan, his mother and the officers were reunited at a city council meeting on Friday evening, where the officers were presented with Life Saving awards.