RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas — Sgt. Allen Harmon and Spc. Alexandria Ryan, assigned to the 38th Military Police Company, Monticello, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) in support of Operation Ardent Vanguard, were monitoring the border in their vehicle around 9 a.m. on Aug. 14, 2026, when they heard a radio request for emergency medical assistance involving an unresponsive 2-year-old child.
The Soldiers responded to the call and encountered a woman who had pulled over with her son and a U.S. Border Patrol agent. The child was unconscious in the rear of the vehicle, and the mother was visibly distressed.
After obtaining the mother’s permission to provide medical aid, Ryan, an Army combat medic, quickly assessed the child. She obtained a brief medical history, applied a pulse oximeter to monitor the child’s oxygen saturation and heart rate, and assessed his breathing.
The child’s heart and respiratory rates were elevated, and Ryan determined he appeared to be suffering from a heat-related illness.
“With children, you only have seconds, and those seconds matter,” Ryan said.
Ryan directed the mother to increase the vehicle’s air conditioning while Harmon obtained an ice sheet. Ryan then prepared a cloth soaked in ice water and placed it beneath the child’s neck to help cool the child.
As Ryan continued to communicate with the mother and assess the child, the toddler began showing signs of responsiveness. His eyes fluttered, followed by spontaneous movement. Ryan moved the child into the air-conditioned rear seat to allow continued cooling while emergency medical services were en route.
After several moments, the child regained consciousness.
The mother immediately comforted her son as he continued to recover. The child was eventually able to sit upright while Ryan and Harmon remained nearby, monitoring his condition and orientation until EMS personnel arrived and assumed care.
“It’s our duty to respond,” Ryan said. “If you ever are in a medical emergency and are unsure what to do, you can call a hospital, and they can help.”
The child was ultimately determined to be evaluated and cleared in good condition following the incident.
Ryan, a native of Lafayette, Indiana, has served as an Army medic for five years. Her military medical training includes extensive emergency medical instruction, including paramedic training.
For Ryan, the response was an opportunity to put that training into action when it mattered most.
Her quick assessment, immediate cooling measures, and continued monitoring helped stabilize the child until EMS arrived and transferred care.
U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.