Columbus, Ga. (March 1, 2024)— Piedmont Columbus Regional has named Officer Shane Abreo with the Columbus Police Department the organization’s First Friday Hero for the month of March.

Officer Abreo was patrolling a shopping center in south Columbus when he was approached by a man frantically saying someone wasn’t breathing inside his car. Officer Abreo saw an infant in the back seat and called for EMS.

He took the baby and performed lifesaving measures. Officer Abreo was able to clear the baby’s airway before EMS arrived on-scene. His actions saved the baby’s life and prevented possible brain damage.

A ceremony with Officer Abreo and hospital leadership will be held on Friday, March 8 at 8:15 a.m. in the Community Room at the Public Safety Building to commend him for his response. His story is also featured throughout the hospital on commemorative posters and Piedmont Columbus Regional’s social media pages.

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in mid-2016 to recognize first responders each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

“Their line of work is often a thankless job and we want to make the community aware of our local heroes and all they do to make the Chattahoochee Valley a better and safer place,” said Piedmont Columbus Regional CEO Scott Hill.