UT Police Recognizes Senior Public Safety Officer for Life-saving Efforts

The University of Texas Police at Houston (UT Police) recognizes Senior Public Safety Officer Diana Sabater for her life-saving efforts during an incident in November 2019.

Sabater was near the Waterfall Café at the MD Anderson Mays Clinic when she was informed that a patient was having difficulty breathing. When she approached the patient, she immediately recognized the universal sign for choking. She determined there was something blocking the patient’s airway, thus preventing the patient from speaking. Sabater performed the Heimlich maneuver on the patient and dislodged the blockage from the patient’s throat.

UT Police commends Sabater for her life-saving efforts and her ability to maintain control of a high stress situation. Her actions were instrumental in saving the person’s life. Her quick response and actions reflect the appropriate training and approach to this type of life threatening situation.

Sabater is well known in the department for her volunteerism especially with the UT Police annual Children’s Gift Drive, which takes place during the holiday season and benefits pediatric patients at CE Odom Pediatric and Adolescent Health Clinic, LBJ Child Life Center and the Harris County Psychiatric Center.

For her actions, UT Police has nominated Sabater for two awards: for an International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Medal of Merit and for the UT System Police’s Life Saving Award medal. If she is selected as a recipient of the UT System award, she would be recognized at our department’s 2020 Promotions and Awards Ceremony that takes place annually during National Police Week in May.