The Covington City Commission honored Marcus Behanan, a security guard at Holmes Middle School who saved student Brayden Smith from choking last month, with a public commemoration at their Tuesday meeting.
The commission officially declared Dec. 7 as “Markie Behanan Day.”
Commission member Ron Washington introduced Behanan and told the story of his actions.
“On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, Braden Smith, a 13-year-old Holmes Middle School student, entered his high school cafeteria for lunch period like any other school day,” Washington said, “but this day would prove to be different.”
Shortly after beginning his meal, Smith began choking on a piece of chicken. He approached Behanan, who’s trained in the Heimlich maneuver and CPR, for help. Behanan quickly understood what was wrong and applied the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the food and saving Smith from choking.
“I want to say thank you,” Behanan said upon accepting the honor. “Thanks to the Board of Education members. Thanks faculty and staff at Holmes Middle School. I was glad to be there present when he was choking on the chicken, and I’m happy to save his life and what I’ve learned by doing the Heimlich. Appreciate you.”
