State Ag Officer Praised For Saving Life Of Choking Child In Century

August 15, 2026

A Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) officer is being credited with saving the life of a one-year-old child in Century earlier this week.

On Tuesday afternoon, OALE Officer William Register was working a detail in Century when a couple rushed to him at the Marathon Station on North Century Boulevard for help after their child began choking and struggling to breathe.

“Register immediately took action, performing back blows that helped clear the child’s airway and improve breathing before EMS arrived,” OALE said on Friday. “The child was transported to a local hospital for treatment.”

The incident began in Flomaton where the couple called for help, prompting a response from the Flomaton Fire Department and Newman’s Ambulance. In the meantime, the couple decided to drive south, stopping at the Marathon Station at North Century Boulevard and East Highway 4. Since Flomaton Fire and Newman’s had already responded, they continued to the Century gas station along with the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.

Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton later praised Register’s actions, saying that in more than 40 years of firefighting, he had never seen a law enforcement officer handle a situation with such care and professionalism.

OALE said, “We are incredibly proud of Officer Register’s quick thinking, calm composure, and genuine compassion in a moment that truly mattered.”

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES