‘Best friends’: SRO saves student’s life, creating special bond

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — School Resource Officer Jonathan Pullen is credited for saving an eighth-grade student’s life.

“If he wasn’t there, I would probably be dead,” said 13-year-old Kaleb Self, who goes to Stanley Middle School in Gaston County.

Kaleb was eating lunch Monday in the cafeteria.

“I remember I sat down and went to eat it and it got stuck in my throat and I couldn’t breathe,” Kaleb told Channel 9.

A teacher got Pullen involved.

“I went toward them to help. It was Kaleb and he was choking,” Pullen said. “I immediately just grabbed him, turned him around, performed the Heimlich maneuver. It took a few tries to get the food dislodged, but eventually, he was able to breathe again.”

“He was there, right place, right time to save my life,” Kaleb said.

Kaleb’s dad, Josh, is also an SRO in Gaston County.

“That definitely threw me for an even larger loop because I had a connection,” Pullen said. “Me and his dad are pretty close.”

It’s the connection, which has made the bond between an SRO and student closer.

“He’s a great kid and ever since then we’re closer now and he comes up every day and laughs with me,” Pullen said.

“We’re a lot closer now, like best friends,” Kaleb said smiling.

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