LAWRENCE, Kan. - A Kansas high school senior is being hailed as a hero after a life-saving act that has left his community inspired and cemented his dreams of a future in law enforcement.

Adrian Mendoza, a senior at Lawrence Free State High School, was working at Pioneer Ridge.

"I'm not really thinking at this point, I'm just kind of like blank mind. I'm reacting, just kind of action," Mendoza said.

That instinctive action is now credited with saving an elderly woman’s life.

Mendoza had previously completed two summers in the Lawrence Police Teen Academy, a program designed to prepare young people for emergency situations.

On this particular day, that training was put to the ultimate test.

An elderly woman was choking on a chicken bone. Another server tried to help, but couldn’t lift

See Full Page