This is the kind of moment that feels scripted for TV, except it unfolded for real, right here in Collin County. On May 17, Deputy Valdez found himself on a call that quickly went from routine to extraordinary: a woman in active labor. With no time to wait for EMS, he did the next best thing: he called his wife, a labor and delivery nurse, for step-by-step guidance over the phone.
Using only his training, level-headed thinking and his wife’s instructions, Deputy Valdez delivered a healthy baby before medics even arrived. Both mother and child were safe and doing well when EMS finally reached the scene. The combination of adrenaline, skill and remote teamwork made for a night the Sheriff’s Office — and the baby’s family — won’t soon forget.
Making History In Collin County
According to the sheriff’s office, after checking the county’s historical records, this is believed to be the first documented case of a Collin County deputy delivering a baby entirely on their own while on duty. The incident is remarkable not just because of how rare it is, but also for the calm, quick thinking and courage Deputy Valdez showed in a high-pressure situation.
“This was a unique moment in Deputy Valdez’s career and a great example of staying calm under pressure,” the sheriff’s office told Local Profile. “We’re proud of the way he handled the situation and thankful that mom and baby are healthy.”
A Well-Deserved Recognition
Months later, in November, the long-awaited acknowledgment arrived in the form of the Sheriff’s Office Stork Award. Not every deputy can claim to have delivered a baby while on duty, and even fewer can say they had backup from their spouse on the other end of the line…