By Bethany Adams, For The Tribune
ARGO – Sgt. Mike Jennings of the Argo Police Department is thankful that he was on duty when the calls came in. Both came in the early hours of the morning, both involved roadside deliveries and both happened within days of one another.
The first call came in on Thursday, October 20, when a couple coming from the Gadsden area were forced to pull over. Jennings arrived in time to offer support to the new parents until the paramedics arrived.
“She did most of the work at that point, we were just standing there looking silly,” said Jennings, who responded to the second call at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning. This time, he performed the delivery of a baby boy in the parking of lot of Jack’s.
The experience wasn’t an entirely new one for Jennings, who has performed three in-ambulance deliveries during his time as a paramedic. It was, however, a little more stressful.
“It was different being on the side of the road and not in a controlled setting,” Jennings said. “The other three births were in the back of an ambulance. Very controlled. This, I had no gear or no anything, so it was a little more nerve-wracking. But it was still a great experience.”
Because of his previous experience, Jennings was happy to be able to respond to both scenes.
“It wasn’t the perfect venue for them, but it happens,” Jennings said. “Luckily enough, they had somebody with a little bit of experience, which calmed the mothers down, I believe.”
As a father of two, Jennings made sure not to take all of the credit.
“Like I told everybody, mothers do all the work,” Jennings said. “We just kind of stand around; they do all the work, and they did perfect.”
One of the mothers, who wished only to be identified as Emily, extended her thanks to Jennings and the rest of the responders for their quick response and comfort.
“Just the support and everything was great,” Emily said. Both she and her baby girl are doing well.
For Jennings, it was an opportunity to show the community that he and the rest of the Argo Police Department are happy to serve.
“I like the positive outlook for police,” Jennings said. “This is what we do. We serve the public like we’re supposed to, and that’s what I feel like policing is all about.”
21 Comments
Louis Souleotes
Wow, they stopped running radar long enough to deliver some babies, Lol. #Argo
Shelley Luna
Nice to see Postive news!!!
Alex McDonald
Arthur Cauble, this is one of the officers who came up to the church.
Nakiah Hinton-Johnson
This is at the jacks in Argo
Matt Coleman
That is amazing I didn’t think they knew how to put the radar down lol
Sharon Gould
James McGinnis read this
Renee Simonin Metcalf
Thanks Officer Mike for your service!! You are awesome!
Randy Hettich
Great job. This why we are one of the safest city’s in Alabama.
Randy Hettich
Great job. This why we are one of the safest city’s in Alabama.
Ann Brown
Way to go ! I love living in Argo!
Our guys keep us safe!
Ann Brown
Way to go ! I love living in Argo!
Our guys keep us safe!
Lanie Parker Kendrick
Way to go Sgt. Jennings!
Denise Brock Wilson
Connie Norris Champion this is an awesome article!
Randy Scott Briscoe
Dammit William I was hoping this was you lmao
William Skylar Champion
Nope. Don’t measure up
Randy Scott Briscoe
Lol what’s that mean
William Skylar Champion
Hes an expert at what he does
Shelby England
Cole England
Lesley Rogers Childs
Sgt. Jennings is always so nice and personable. We are happy to have him in Argo!
Josie Smith
Thanks for service Officer Mike, Bless You
Kathy Sills
Way to go sir