What began as an ordinary shift at a small-town New Jersey police station quickly turned into a life-changing moment and a heartwarming reminder of what service truly means.
When an anxious man rushed into the Woodstown Police Department one day, waving his arms and shouting for help, Officers Benjamin Haines and Gabriel Chiarelli prepared for the worst. A crash, a fire, or an emergency seemed likely.
Instead, they found something far more unexpected.
Unable to speak English, the man frantically motioned for the officers to follow him to his car. Inside, they discovered a woman in active labor and the baby wasn’t waiting.
“We weren’t really expecting that… especially the baby coming out when we opened the car door,” Chiarelli told 6ABC.
With no medical training and a language barrier complicating communication, the officers had to think fast. They tried using Google Translate on their phones, but when that proved too slow, they relied on simple hand gestures and calm reassurance.
“We really couldn’t say much, but I just told her to breathe and push,” Haines explained. “She did, and out came the head.”
Moments later, after just a few more pushes, a healthy baby girl was born right there in the back seat.
The officers quickly wrapped both mother and child in blankets, keeping them warm and safe until paramedics arrived to transport the family to hospital.
Despite the lack of formal training, both officers said the experience captured exactly why they joined the force.
“This is what we’re here for helping people when they need it most,” they said.
Their station chief praised the pair for staying calm under pressure and stepping up without hesitation.
What started as a frantic dash for help ended with a new life entering the world — and two officers discovering that sometimes, the most meaningful acts of service come in the most unexpected moments.