WILMINGTON, MA — Two police 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.
That day, Officer Jack 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 provided medical instructions to the mother and father as her labor progressed rapidly.
Rooney arrived at the home and spoke with Topala, guiding her through the delivery. Officer Kyle Collins arrived shortly afterward to provide additional assistance.
A healthy baby boy was born at about 2:30 a.m. Wilmington Fire and Action Ambulance Services also responded, and the mother and newborn were taken to an area hospital.
"It was very intense, but we are so grateful to the crew that came to the site," Topala said in a statement. "They remained very calm and helped calm me down. Knowing they have training for this sort of situation made me feel a lot safer."
A reunion took place Thursday at the Wilmington Public Safety Building, bringing together the family, officers Rooney and Collins and members of Wilmington Fire and Action Ambulance Services, according to a police statement.
The gathering gave the family an opportunity to meet and thank the public safety personnel who helped welcome their baby boy into the world.
"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," according to the statement.
"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."
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