Centerville police officer delivers baby on Route 40
Carl Talbert holds Poppy Catherine Vojacek alongside her parents, Jessica and Matthew Vojacek.
Centerville Officer Carl Talbert with Poppy Catherine Vojacek at the police department.
Jessica and Matthew Vojacek thought they knew what to expect with the birth of their third child.
But Poppy couldn鈥檛 wait for the hospital.
While driving on Route 40 through Centerville Oct. 29, Jessica knew they weren鈥檛 going to make it to Jefferson Hospital. Jessica said she and Matthew noticed a borough police officer was following behind them.
鈥淲e pulled over. My husband jumped out of the car and tried to flag him down. I already had my feet above the dash. Her head is coming out,鈥� Jessica said.
Driving the patrol car was Carl Talbert, a 27-year-old officer, who has been with the Centerville Borough Police Department since September.
鈥淚 was on my normal patrol for my shift, and I was about to turn onto (Route 40) off of one of the side roads in the borough,鈥� Talbert said. 鈥淚 observed a vehicle following closely to another vehicle. Just out of curiosity, I turned onto 40 to follow the vehicle. About a half mile up the road, it had pulled off the right hand side of the road on the shoulder.鈥�
When Matthew told Talbert the situation, he called for an ambulance, grabbed a pair of latex gloves and a clean t-shirt, and delivered the Vojaceks鈥� newborn daughter.
Poppy Catherine Vojacek came into the world a healthy baby girl, at seven pounds, four ounces, and 211/2 inches long.
鈥淵ou only see that stuff in the movies,鈥� Jessica said. 鈥淪he was not waiting to come out.鈥�
The whole situation unfolded quickly, Talbert recalled.
鈥淚 pulled up behind the vehicle and called up at 6:00, and I was on the radio saying the baby was born at 6:01,鈥� Talbert said.
Jessica and Matthew reside in Deemston Borough, along with Poppy鈥檚 two older siblings 鈥� Lillian, 11, and Altin, 4.
Jessica, 38, works as a preschool teacher.
鈥淭hat day I went to work as usual. Nothing was really happening any different,鈥� she said.
Around 3:45 p.m., Jessica said her water broke. The contractions started shortly after and were getting closer together.
鈥淚t was maybe 5:30 or so 鈥� I was going to Jefferson. I called them and said my contractions are like three minutes apart now. I think I might have her in the car,鈥� Jessica said.
Matthew, 42, drove his wife to her mother鈥檚 house, who lives nearby, to get everything they needed before going to the hospital.
鈥淔or a split second, I thought we should stay here and call the ambulance,鈥� Jessica said.
When it was clear they were not going to make it to the hospital, the Vojaceks were grateful for Talbert鈥檚 quick action.
鈥淥fficer Talbert was phenomenal. He took charge and he knew what to do. We were very thankful he was behind us,鈥� Jessica said.
鈥淗e handled the situation with utmost professionalism,鈥� added Matthew.
Talbert said the situation left him speechless.
鈥淵ou just hope that you鈥檝e been trained appropriately. I luckily have two little kids. I could still remember what happened in the hospital. It gave me a little insight,鈥� Talbert said. 鈥淚 just went off my life experience to make sure I took care of the situation appropriately.鈥�
After Poppy was born, Jessica and Matthew went the rest of the way to the hospital where their new daughter was kept for two days, a precaution for babies not born in the hospital.
Poppy鈥檚 middle name, Catherine, was give to her in honor of both of her grandmothers, Nancy Catherine Zamiska and Virginia Catherine Vojacek.
The first name, Poppy, is in honor of her grandfather, Albert Zamiska, who passed away in June.
鈥淗e always got the poppies from the American Legion,鈥� Jessica said. 鈥淕rowing up, he always had those in the vehicle.鈥�
After they got home from the hospital last Friday, Jessica and Matthew took Poppy to Centerville police station to meet Talbert.
鈥淭hey wanted to say thank you again for the assistance,鈥� Talbert said.