A New Jersey police officer had an astonishing chance encounter with the man who helped deliver him as a baby. The craziest part? He happened to pull the man over in a routine traffic stop.
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New Jersey state trooper Michael Patterson flagged down Matthew Bailly on June 1 for the minor traffic violation of having overly tinted windows. During their exchange, Bailly mentioned he was a retired police officer from Piscataway, New Jersey, according to a Facebook post by the New Jersey State Police.
What transpired from that point was nothing short of extraordinary:
“Mr. Bailly asked Trooper Patterson where he used to live. When Trooper Patterson told him that he grew up on Poe Place, Mr. Bailly said that he remembered that street, because he helped deliver a baby there 27 years ago when he was a rookie cop,” the post continued.
It was Oct. 5, 1991, the day that Patterson’s mother went into labor on the way back from shopping.
“He was even able to describe the color, style of house, and the baby’s name, Michael. Trooper Patterson extended his hand and replied, ‘My name is Michael Patterson, sir. Thank you for delivering me.’”
The post went on to tell the entire wonderful story, along with photos of the two men:
“Whatever the odds were, it happened. Trooper Michael Patterson stopped the police officer who delivered him 27 years ago in Piscataway. Mr. Bailly had four years on the job when he responded to a home on Poe Place in Piscataway. The date was October 5, 1991. Trooper Patterson’s mother, Karen Patterson, was out shopping when she went into labor. She barely made it home. Bobby Patterson, Trooper Patterson’s father, rushed outside, picked up his wife, and carried her inside the house. He then called the doctor who talked Officer Bailly through the birth. Needless to say, Trooper Patterson, Matthew Bailly, and both of their families were ecstatic about the reunion.
So, Trooper Patterson and his mother visited Mr. Bailly and his wife at their home where they took these photos! They all felt this story was so uplifting, it needed to be shared, and we agree! After all, as a police officer, you don’t always get a chance to have a moment like this with people you once helped in your career!”
“We’re not sure what the odds are of this happening—maybe they’re close to the odds of a hole-in-one, winning the lottery, or being struck by lightning—but it happened,” the post notes.
“His mouth dropped – and so did mine,” Patterson said at a press conference on Thursday about the extraordinary meeting. He is convinced that the encounter was much more than simple coincidence. “I believe that it was a divine encounter. I met him for a reason.”
(H/T: Today)