Technically, that wouldn’t constitute strangulation. Insufficient oxygen, but not strangulation, which is what that part of the discussion was about.
You said if he was being strangled how did he talk, or words to that effect.
His airway was being constrained. He was likely over breathing his supply of air due to his health, the excitement, and the cops arm around his throat. So to him it would feel as if he couldn’t breath.