NORTHAMPTON — After coming to a choking man’s rescue and saving his life with the Heimlich maneuver earlier this summer, Homestead restaurant owner Jeremy Werther has been nominated for a state award recognizing his act of heroism.

The Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery is awarded at the State House each year on Sept. 11 to honor Massachusetts residents who have demonstrated “exceptional courage, without regard for personal safety,” to save the lives of others in imminent danger. It was created in 2002 in honor of Madeline “Amy” Sweeney, a Massachusetts flight attendant whose actions aboard hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 on 9/11 provided critical information to authorities.

While state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, had never nominated anyone for the award before, she considered the restauranteur after she read news coverage outlining his rescue of a man choking in the outdoor dining area on Strong Avenue on June 4.

“I just thought it was just so compelling to have this story of a restaurant owner being there during an evening dinner service and being able to step up like this and truly save someone’s life in the process,” Sabadosa said. “It’s just a really good reminder that any of us, at any point, could be called on to act in an extraordinary way to help someone in our community. I appreciate that when that happened, he didn’t stress out, he didn’t get flustered, he just stepped up and did what needed to be done. I think that makes him a role model for all of us.”

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Werther said that he was honored to be nominated for the award, but stressed he was most grateful for the fact that the choking man survived.

“Honestly it was a surprise,” he said. “In my mind, there’s a guy that’s alive that might not have been, but again, I was just a guy in the right place at the right time. It’s an honor to be recognized.”

Past recipients of the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery from western Massachusetts include Jillian Smith of Wales, who ran into a burning building twice to save the lives of her neighbors in 2023, and Paul Galotti of Easthampton, who rescued his neighbor from a burning building in 2022.

Sabadosa also noted that she admired Werther’s humility after the act, noting that he rejected praise for heroism and did not seek media attention.

On that night in early June, Werther had just stepped out of the kitchen of his Strong Street eatery to check in with front-of-the-house staff when he noticed a crisis unfolding near the outdoor seating of Local Burger. Looking to his left, he saw a woman attempting to perform abdominal compressions on a choking man. Werther rushed over, stepping in to take over the Heimlich maneuver just as the woman ran out of breath, he said in a previous interview.

“Instincts took over. I just ran over,” Werther said at the time. “I stepped right in, gave two thrusts, and whatever was in that throat came right out. It was just a natural reaction — right place, right time. You’ve got to help the people around you.”

When Northampton Fire Rescue arrived, the man was alert, breathing without difficulty and ultimately declined further treatment.

Werther, who has spent most of his career working in commercial kitchens, said the incident was not the first time he has had to perform the life-saving maneuver.

“Unfortunately, working in restaurants, you see a lot and end up around a lot [of those situations],” he said. “I don’t want to see anyone get hurt; that’s really what it comes down to. If I can help, I’m going to.”