On Saturday, Dec. 18, a 15-year-old employee at the Eden Prairie McDonald’s saved the life of a customer who was choking. While stationed at the drive-through window, Sydney Raley noticed the customer in the drive-through was coughing profusely. In an instant, she jumped out of the drive-through window, pulled the woman from the car and started doing the Heimlich maneuver. When she realized she needed assistance, Sydney called to an unidentified bystander who helped dislodge the food from the woman’s throat.

By the time EPPD officers arrived, the woman’s airway was clear and the helpful bystander had left the scene. The two officers each gave Sydney a $50 bill as part of the department’s “Cops & Cash for the Holidays” program which is sponsored by the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund. This is the second year the Crime Prevention Fund has sponsored the program where each of the department’s 70 sworn officers receive $50 cash from the Crime Prevention Fund to distribute to a community member to brighten people’s holidays. Anonymous donors have provided the funding for the program for the past two years.

EPPD Sgt. Scott Mittelstadt, who was the supervising sergeant at the time of the incident, was thrilled both responding officers rewarded Sydney with their portion of the Cops & Cash program. “We’re very proud of Sydney. She’s a great example of how all of us – no matter our age or position – can make a difference in our communities.”

For more on Sydney’s incredible quick-thinking, check out this story from KARE 11.