It was dinnertime at the jail when a sudden commotion grabbed Correctional Officer Ryan Shweid’s attention.

A Placer County Jail inmate was having seizures at one end of a table and a few other inmates were able to catch him just as he was falling back onto the ground.

Shweid rushed over to the man and found him seizing with food in his mouth. Shweid turned the man on his side as he called for medical help.

“He was turning a reddish purple color in the process,” Shweid said. “He wasn’t really breathing very well, if not at all, so that’s when I decided I needed to do something.”

Shweid said he took his left hand and gave a couple abdominal thrusts to the inmate, which pushed the food out of the man’s throat and gave him a much-needed airway.

The inmate was treated at a hospital and survived his incident.

On Wednesday, Shweid will receive the life saving award at the annual Placer Law Enforcement Agencies awards in Rocklin.

Placer Sheriff’s Lt. Ron Ashford, who is assigned to the jail, said Shweid’s actions made him worthy of the award.

“Ryan Shweid is a veteran correctional officer who uses his knowledge and experience to keep the jail safe for fellow officers and the inmates who reside there,” Ashford said. “His swift actions and attention to detail were exemplary and a testament to the true professional correctional officer Ryan has become.”

Shweid, who has been a correctional officer at the jail for 11 and 1/2 years, said he was shocked to hear he won an award for doing what he felt was just part of his job.

“I know it’s a pretty prestigious honor and I was kind of floored by it,” Shweid said.

Shweid said he looked at the rescue as part of his training and job.

“That’s my job, that’s what I’m supposed to do and that’s what I did,” Shweid said. “I was just trying to do the right thing.”

Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.

----------

PLEA Awards

What: The annual Placer Law Enforcement Agencies awards honor officers from all county police departments and the Sheriff’s Office who go above and beyond the call of duty.

When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4

Where: Rocklin Sunset Center, 2650 Sunset Blvd., Rocklin

Cost: Free to the public