JACKSON POLICE HELP DELIVER BABY AT STATION

JACKSON -- Two men of the Jackson Police Department and a fireman became midwives late Saturday -- at least until the ambulance showed up to deliver a pregnant woman's baby.

At about 11 p.m. Saturday, Judy Jordan, 25, of Marble Hill, knew she wasn't going to make it to Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau to have her baby.

Jordan had a female relative she was riding with stop at the Jackson Police Department, where Lacy Renee Jordan was born a short time later.

Lt. Richard Knaup Jr. of the Jackson Police Department said Sgt. Bob Bonney and Patrolman Rich Neace were summoned to the station from their regular patrols to do what they could for Jordan. A fireman on duty, Kenny Koehler, also ran out to the parking lot, where the three men found the woman in full labor.

"We called for an ambulance, but in the meantime the officers stood there giving (Jordan) some impromptu Lamaze breathing training," Knaup said. "The officers are married and have kids, so they've been through that situation before with their wives.

"We all have first-responder training for birthing, too," he continued. "We've just never had to use it before."

The ambulance crew arrived and the baby was born. The mother and baby were transported to Southeast Missouri Hospital, where both are doing "just fine," said nurses.

"They were all helping each other out as well as the mother," said Knaup. "It was quite an experience."