Oklahoma Trooper Delivers Baby on Highway Shoulder During Routine Patrol
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — What began as a routine patrol for Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Tyler Shelby quickly turned into a life-changing moment when he helped deliver a baby boy on the shoulder of a highway in southwest Oklahoma. On November 22, while assisting with traffic control for an ambulance responding to a woman in active labor, Shelby encountered the expectant mother just a mile away from the ambulance’s location.
Dashcam footage released by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol shows Shelby pulling up behind a black Chevrolet Camaro parked on the highway shoulder, its passenger door wide open and the mother seated inside. Initially intending to reassure her that medical help was moments away, Shelby was met with the urgent declaration, “The baby is coming!” The trooper quickly shifted from traffic control to delivering the newborn. “Well, don’t push!” Shelby responded, moments before assisting in the birth of baby Finley.
“All I did was play catch,” Shelby modestly said, reflecting on his first experience delivering a baby. The ambulance arrived shortly after, transporting both mother and newborn to a hospital for continued care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that emergency deliveries outside of hospital settings are rare but critical moments where first responders’ training can be life-saving.
Trooper Shelby promptly returned to his patrol duties, embodying the readiness and resilience that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol emphasizes in its training. “Our medical training includes the basics of delivering a baby – something we hope we don’t encounter often – but when the moment comes, our troopers are ready to help,” the agency stated in a Facebook post. They also confirmed that both mother and baby are doing well following the roadside delivery.
This incident underscores the vital role that law enforcement officers play beyond traditional policing. Troopers like Shelby receive medical training to prepare for emergencies that may arise unexpectedly during their shifts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency highlights the importance of cross-training first responders in multiple emergency skills to enhance community safety.
Earlier this year, a similar unexpected birth occurred in a McDonald’s parking lot in Michigan, illustrating that such emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. The swift actions of first responders in these situations often make the difference between life and death.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s quick response and Trooper Shelby’s calm assistance on the roadside serve as a testament to the dedication and versatility of law enforcement officers. Their preparedness ensures that even in moments of crisis, help is never far away. For more information on emergency medical training for law enforcement, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
As baby Finley begins his life journey, the community and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol celebrate the safe delivery and the trooper’s invaluable service during a moment of urgent need.
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