October 2025 Edition
Congratulations to Free State High School senior Adrian Mendoza, who is credited with saving a woman’s life after skills he learned at the Lawrence Kansas Police Department’s Teen Police Academy.
Mendoza was working after school at a local independent living center when he noticed someone choking and another person struggling to help. His training took over and he took action. Mendoza correctly performed the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged the blockage.
“It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life, to be honest,” Mendoza said. “It’s hard to describe. It’s like achieving a goal, but then you realize it’s more than just a goal. You’re letting another human being continue to live.”
LKPD’s Teen Police Academy run for two weeks during the summer and is for anyone 14-18 years of age.
Students get an inside look into the police profession, learn defensive tactics, and become certified in life-saving techniques like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.
Watch the Department’s social media pages, where registration opens in the spring, or talk to your School Resource Officer for a recommendation.
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