Two Bridgewater police officers went above and beyond the line of duty Wednesday to help deliver a baby in a Home Depot parking lot.
Police Officer Michael Clark and Police K-9 Officer Stephen Kingsley were the first to arrive on scene, assisting Taunton resident Latonia Francois in the birth of her son alongside her husband, Herkins Francois.
Around 2:40 a.m., Bridgewater police received a wireless direct 911 call from Herkins stating that he and Latonia were on their way to the hospital because she was in labor, but weren’t sure they would make it in time.
Police instructed him to pull off of Route 24 onto Pleasant Street in Bridgewater, where he then pulled into the Home Depot parking lot located at 1453 Pleasant St.
Bridgewater police and fire were dispatched to the scene, where Clark was the first to arrive. In the vehicle were the father and the couple’s two daughters, ages 9 and 7.
“They were really excited about being big sisters,” Kingsley said.
Shortly after, Kingsley arrived to assist Clark. When Clark realized that delivery was imminent, he assisted the mother with the delivery of the child just prior to the arrival of Bridgewater fire personnel.
“Both mom and dad did great,” Kingsley said. ”...Officer Clark did a great job at supporting her and guiding her and the husband did the same.”
The baby, named Herkins Xavier Francois Jr., was born weighing 6 pounds and 13 ounces.
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