A Miami Beach Police sergeant was honored for his swift, life-saving actions days after he rendered aid to an elderly diner at a restaurant in Hialeah.

Miami Beach Police Sgt. Alex Bello was celebrated Thursday at the department’s headquarters on Washington Avenue for coming to the rescue of a 70-year-old man over the weekend.

The law enforcement officer saved the day on Saturday after he noticed the man in distress while inside was La Viña Aragon Restaurant, located near West Eighth Avenue and 81st Place, during his lunch break.

Bello quickly realized the diner was choking. He told 7News his training then kicked in, and that’s when he applied the Heimlich maneuver.

“It was a difficult situation, but obviously, my training kicked in, and the great training that is offered here at the City of Miami Beach Police Department allowed me to get through that situation,” he said.

Video shared with 7News shows Bello picking up the diner from the floor and performing the maneuver several times as bystanders watch in distress and guide the choking man.

“I pick him up off the floor to start the Heimlich maneuver. I had to execute [it] several times,” he said.

After a few rounds, the elderly man began breathing.

“Then I said, ‘Hold on. Give him a second. I think he’s breathing,” said Bello.

Those in the video immediately begin spreading the news of crisis averted.

“In the restaurant, as soon as everybody could see that he was awake, conscious, started clapping,” he said.

On Thursday, Bello heard another round of applause from the community as he was honored for his quick thinking actions that saved the man’s life.

Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones and Mayor Steven Meiner were on hand at the ceremony.

“I believe Alex Bello here saved lives,” said Jones. “I want to honor you today by awarding you the department’s life-saving award.”

Through it all, Bello remains humble.

“I’m very humbled. I don’t like the attention, obviously not. I’m not I’m not about that,” he said. “I’m a very low-key individual, but I’m honored that I was able to be there, you know, and that God guided my hand.”

This isn’t the first time Bello has sprang into action. According to Jones, back in 2009, the sergeant administered CPR to someone having a medical episode in Miami Beach, saving their life.

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox