Wilmington Police Officer Jack Rooney hugs Topala, whose baby he helped deliver. (Photo Courtesy Wilmington Police Department) Wilmington Police Officers, Action Ambulance and Wilmington Firefighter/EMT reunite with the family. (Photo Courtesy Wilmington Police Department) Wilmington Police reunite with the family. (Photo Courtesy Wilmington Police Department)
WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Police Department is pleased to share that two officers and EMS personnel recently reunited with the Topala and Gotonoaga family, whose newest addition they helped safely deliver in the early morning hours of Oct. 28.
The reunion took place Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Wilmington Public Safety Building, bringing together the family, Officers Jack Rooney and Kyle Collins, and members of Wilmington Fire and Action Ambulance Services.
The special gathering gave the family an opportunity to meet and thank the public safety personnel who helped welcome their baby boy into the world.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, at approximately 2:25 a.m., Officer Rooney responded to a home on Lowell Street for a report of a woman in active labor. Before officers arrived, dispatchers Jared Winston and Joseph Leverone calmly provided medical instructions to the mother and father as her labor progressed rapidly.
Upon arrival, Officer Rooney took control of the situation, calmly speaking with Topala and guiding her through the delivery. Officer Collins arrived shortly afterward to provide additional assistance.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., a healthy baby boy was born. Wilmington Fire and Action Ambulance Services also responded to the scene, and the mother and newborn were transported to an area hospital.
The Wilmington Police Department is proud of the teamwork, professionalism and compassion demonstrated by its officers and dispatchers, as well as its public safety partners, during this call.
“It was very intense, but we are so grateful to the crew that came to the site,” said Topala. “They remained very calm and helped calm me down. Knowing they have training for this sort of situation made me feel a lot safer.”
The department is happy to share that both Topala and the baby are doing well and wishes the family the best as they celebrate their new addition.