The early morning shift was one Deputy Robert Pounds had experienced many times before. The city streets lay calm, the sky draped in darkness, and most residents were still lost in sleep. Around 4:30 a.m., while patrolling Airport-Pulling Road, his radar detected a vehicle speeding along at 63 mph in a 45 mph zone.

A typical moment, he assumed. A standard traffic stop. Yet, the events that unfolded in the following moments were far from ordinary.

Approaching the driver’s window, prepared to ask routine questions, Deputy Pounds quickly sensed something unusual. The driver’s hands clutched the steering wheel with intensity, his demeanor anxious. Then, a glance toward the passenger seat changed everything.

The woman seated there was not merely in distress. She was in active labor, on the verge of giving birth.

Officer Halts Speeding Car, Assists in Baby’s Delivery

In that moment, the idea of issuing a ticket vanished. Deputy Pounds’ training and instincts took over. He promptly radioed for EMS and additional support, his voice calm despite the escalating situation. Retrieving a blanket from his patrol car, he hurried back to the passenger’s side.

Minutes later, in the dim light of the roadside, a miracle unfolded. Under the glow of his patrol car’s flashing lights, a healthy baby girl came into the world, cradled in the arms of a deputy who had anticipated nothing more than a routine citation.

Deputy Pounds gently ensured the newborn was breathing steadily, then offered comfort to the weary but overjoyed mother until medical help arrived. When EMS reached the scene, they carefully cut the umbilical cord, assessed the health of both mother and child, and transported them to the hospital for further care.

What began as a speeding violation concluded with the sound of a newborn’s first cry and a father’s tears of gratitude. Amid the whirlwind of the moment, Sgt. David Drucks captured a fleeting photograph of Deputy Pounds standing beside the beaming new father, both sharing smiles fueled by the intensity of the experience.

For Deputy Pounds, the morning served as a powerful reminder that law enforcement extends beyond upholding rules. It demands readiness for the unexpected, even something as profound as aiding in a roadside delivery.

That day, he didn’t merely protect and serve. He played a vital role in welcoming a new life into the world.