A Meeting With Fate
Traffic stops can be one of the most dreadful moments experienced on the road. Luckily, this was not the case for a New Jersey State Trooper who had stopped the same man who delivered him 27 years ago. The encounter occurred in Kingwood Township, New Jersey where Trooper Michael Patterson halted a retired police officer by the name of Matthew Bailly after a small vehicular infraction.
After some formalities and following traffic stop protocol, Bailly made it known that he was a retired police officer from the town of Piscataway. Trooper Patterson then replied that he was also from Piscataway. As soon as Trooper Patterson stated which block he was from and grew up on, Matthew Bailly said he could accurately remember this location. because he helped deliver a baby boy about 27 years ago.
Down Memory Lane
Baily went on to describe the aesthetics of the house and even mentioned the name of the baby boy, Michael, whom he helped bring in to the world. As Baily finished recounting his experience, Trooper Patterson held out his hand in gratitude to inform Bailly that he indeed was that baby boy.
“My name is Michael Patterson sir. Thank you for delivering me.”
Truly a chance encounter as both men were flabbergasted upon realizing the serendipitous occasion.
On October 5th, 1991, Patterson’s mother, Karen Patterson, was out shopping when suddenly she began going through labor.
Her water broke as she left the parking lot. Incredibly, Karen drove her car with her legs squeezed tightly together all the way to her house.
Officer Bailly To The Rescue
Karen’s husband, Bobby Patterson, rushed to help her get to a stable location and then immediately called 911 and her doctor. Mr. Patterson contacted the doctor who then contacted Mr. Bailly to help with the delivery. Bailly successfully delivered the baby with the help of the doctor’s instructions.
The officer was also responsible for assisting Mrs. Patterson and newborn baby Michael into an ambulance in order to seek medical attention. Officer Bailly had never witnessed such a thing. He did not have kids of his own, so for him to experience such a life-changing event truly shaped his path both in his career and real life. He would retell the incredible moments from this experience over and over again.
Coming Full Circle
After the traffic stop incident, both men recalled the experience with their wives. Patterson’s wife had asked if they had taken pictures, but they did not. Fortunately, Trooper Patterson was able to pull up Mr. Bailly’s address from the time he was stopped and so he wrote a hand-written note stating how his family would love to get together to take pictures and share a moment of bonding.
Soon after the events that transpired, Michael Patterson and his mother went ahead to visit Mr. Bailly at his estate for some mingling and a few photos. A few tears were shed as the emotions from that day 27 years ago reverberated in the heart of Karen Patterson.
Trooper Patterson and Mr. Bailly later got together for pizza and made jokes about delivering Patterson’s newborn since his wife, Alison, was due in a few weeks.
During an interview with CBS, Patterson’s mother recalled the event saying she would not know what would’ve happened if Mr. Bailly had not come in to help. “I just want to tell Mr. Baily that I appreciate him coming to my aid,” said Karen Patterson who was overcome with emotion as she recalled that fateful day.
This uplifting tale has created quite the buzz around the nation. A truly incredible moment in which we can see its full closure come back around full circle years later.
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