When Jenna Jacobson learned about her two-year-old son’s choking ordeal, she was filled with relief – relief that Jordan Cox was a friend of the family.

Saturday, September 01, 2001

When Jenna Jacobson learned about her two-year-old son’s choking ordeal, she was filled with relief – relief that Jordan Cox was a friend of the family.

Jacobson now refers to Jordan as a hero, because two weeks ago he saved her son’s life.

Jacobson’s son, Ridge, was playing in the backyard of his grandmother’s house with several other kids when he accidentally swallowed a hard piece of candy. After choking on the candy for several minutes, it lodged in the toddler’s throat, cutting off his air.

Only one person noticed – 10-year-old Jordan.

Son of Ronald and Janey Cox of Albert Lea, Jordan plays with the Jacobson children on many weekends. He said he makes it a point to keep an eye out for Ridge.

On this day, his vigilance probably saved the toddler’s life.

&uot;I saw him coughing, and he was just coughing for so long. I kept telling everybody he was coughing and gagging, but no one payed attention. No one believed me,&uot; he said.

Jordan knew his insistence was getting him nowhere with the other children, and, by this time, Ridge could no longer cough and was beginning to turn blue. Jordan ran inside to get an adult.

&uot;I found Ridge’s uncle in the house and told him Ridge was choking,&uot; Jordan said.

After a frantic 911 call, the adults loaded Ridge in the car and pulled out of the driveway, heading for Naeve Hospital. But before they even got a block down the street, Ridge finally expelled the candy.

&uot;I don’t even know how to honor Jordan enough,&uot; said Jacobson. &uot;He saved my little boy’s life. Nothing I could buy him or do for him would be enough.&uot;

Jacobson decided after a couple of weeks to call the newspaper and get Jordan some kind of recognition.

&uot;I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I’m just so grateful,&uot; she said. &uot;Every time I look at Ridge, I think to myself how different things would be if Jordan hadn’t been around that day.&uot;

Jordan said he feels a little older now, knowing that he saved someone’s life with his vigilance.

&uot;Yeah, I feel different. I feel bigger,&uot; he said.