ADAMS, Mass. — The town recognized Officers Michael Wandrei and Joshua Baker who helped deliver a baby in March.

 

Town officials held a small ceremony Monday at Town Hall to recognize the officers who helped resident Jayme Pulasky give birth to her daughter, Calla.

 

"We want to raise our department up because it only raises our town up. When you have a valuable asset like this and they do something like this you need to put it out there and let everybody know," Police Chief Scott Kelley said. "I know because they are humble they won't say it, but I know they are proud of what they did. This is a great thing to be part of something like this. They do it every single day. I am proud to be their chief."

 

Kelley said both officers responded to the Hoosac Street medical call on March 11 at 8:55 p.m. He said the officers found that Pulasky was actively in labor.

 

"They were first on scene and found she was indeed in labor," he said. 

 

He said Wandrei stayed with Pulasky while Baker cleared the way for an incoming ambulance and other emergency services.

 

"Officer Wandrei was a calming presence assisting in any way he could with the delivery of the child as being the only emergency service person there at the time," Kelley said. "Baker then started taking measures to ensure that all parties made it safely from the house to the waiting ambulance. This included chipping ice, shoveling snow, removing debris to make it safe."

 

He said baby Calla was born healthy at 9:08 p.m., 13 minutes after the officers were dispatched. 

 

"Both officers assisted in moving mom and child from the residence," he said.

 

Sgt. Donna Malloy, who organized the ceremony and brought the case to Kelley, gave each officer a "Stork Award" certificate and a pin.

 

Kelley, originally from South Carolina, said he has been impressed since he came on the job in January by Adams' officers and their commitment to the community.

 

"Since my arrival, I have seen these police officers go above and beyond in the community every single day," Kelley said. "That tells me that the officers in this department love this community, and we will continue to celebrate occasions like this."

 

Town Administrator Jay Green agreed and said it is important for the public to see that every single officer is a member of the community and cares for it

 

"It is important for a smaller community like ours to let people see and appreciate when they see the black-and-white or an officer in uniform," he said. "It doesn't mean that behind that uniform, behind that tactical vest and the tools of the job that there isn't someone that cares about the public and cares about the person in front of them."