NEW UXBRIDGE DISTRICT P.O. SAVES COLLEAGUE'S LIFE

On his second day in his new position, Uxbridge District Court Probation Officer II Jose Morales saved his colleague, Probation Officer Marc Segalla, from choking to death by using the Heimlich Maneuver. Morales learned this skill during American Red Cross training offered by the Office of the Commissioner of Probation's Training and Development Unit. The unit is part of the Field Services Division.

Morales turned a corner in the Uxbridge Probation Office and happened upon Segalla who was choking and had turned blue. He immediately went into action and began doing abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich Maneuver.

"I tried hitting him on the back to dislodge what he was choking on but it was unsuccessful. He wasn't getting any air. He had turned blue. I took the (Red Cross) training a year ago and it was unbelievable how it just took over. I never thought I would be in a position to save someone's life," Morales said this week.

Morales started his new job at Uxbridge District on March 13th. The choking incident took place on March 15th in the morning. Morales transferred from Worcester District Court, where he worked as a Probation Officer for 17 years. Prior to his tenure at Worcester District, Morales was a Probation Officer at Boston Municipal Court -Roxbury Division for five years.

Segalla, a six-year Probation Officer, was sitting at his desk eating a snack as he waited for court to reconvene.

"When court started, everyone was rushing out and the office was empty. I rushed to finish my snack, but swallowed it too quickly and it got lodged in my throat. At first, I looked around for something to wash it down but it was really stuck," Segalla recalled. "I stepped out of my office and no one was there. I was gagging. Jose saw me and came to my aid."

Uxbridge District Court Chief Probation Officer Michael DiStefano marveled at Morales' response and the fast work of two other Probation Officers Gale Maloney and Jerry Mandeville who arrived at the scene in time to call 911. Mandeville is another transferred employee who formerly worked at Brockton District Court as a Probation Officer.

"Jose is a transfer and new to the court. He was so thrilled to be here. He just stepped up and went to the aid of the Probation Officer. Thank God he had the OCP training. It was close enough, but it could have been very serious," DiStefano said. "Jose was very calm and collected. I am just amazed by this."