Cop performs CPR on dying 10-yr-old boy

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) - A New Britain officer, got a legal notice from the city, about his actions involving his performance of CPR on a dying 10-year-old boy.

Officer Frank Barbagiovanni performed CPR on the boy who, at one point, vomited in his mouth.

"She runs up to me and says save him, save him and throws the child at me. I take him in my arms, put him on the ground and do CPR until the medics get there," said Barbagiovanni.

The child threw up and bodily fluids were exchanged, so Barbagiovanni filed a notice to the city. He said it is not a claim, he is not looking from money. It is standard procedure to put the city on notice.

"And then I got a rejection letter saying they are not going to cover it," said Barbagiovanni. "Line number three states that there is no injury as a result of being exposed to a bodily fluid of a person. I had a blood test, and I have another one coming up, and I don't know how they figured that out."

"Instead of getting an award, I have to do all of this, just to get covered, just to make sure me and my wife are going to be okay in the future, God forbid something happens," Barbagiovanni.

According to Barbagiovanni, the city does plan on getting back to him with a clearer form to outline, so that he is protected.
    
News 8 spoke with the police union lawyer. The police union said they can't believe the city is not standing behind their officers.

"To tell a police officer that saving a child's life is not part of his duties sort of goes outside the bounds of decorum even.  We ask our police officers to do delicate jobs, difficult jobs, in this case, he literally held a life in his hand," said Eric Brown, Police Union Lawyer.

Brown said he doesn't believe the city sent Barbagiovanni the letter with any malicious intent.
    
A city spokesperson said they have tremendous respect for the officer, and that this is a misunderstanding, he adds at no point has the city ever said that CPR is not part of a police officer's duty.