UPDATE: A routine patrol in southwest Oklahoma took a dramatic turn when Trooper Tyler Shelby delivered a baby on the side of a highway just moments before an ambulance arrived. The incident occurred on November 22, 2025, as Shelby was en route to assist with traffic control for an approaching ambulance.
According to reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), Shelby received a call about a woman in active labor who was only a mile away. Upon arriving at the scene, his dash camera captured the urgency: a black Chevrolet Camaro was parked on the shoulder with the passenger door wide open, revealing an expectant mother in distress.
Initially, Shelby approached to reassure the woman that help was nearly there, but the situation escalated rapidly. “The baby is coming!” she exclaimed. Shelby, now faced with an unexpected emergency, advised, “Well, don’t push!”—but it was too late. Within seconds, he found himself assisting in the delivery.
The baby boy, later named Finley, arrived in a matter of moments. Shelby humorously downplayed the event, stating, “All I did was play catch.”
Emergency responders arrived shortly after to transport both mother and newborn to a hospital for further care. Fortunately, OHP confirmed that both are doing well. “We’re happy to report that both mother and baby are doing great!” the agency stated.
Following the extraordinary delivery, Trooper Shelby resumed his regular patrol duties, ready for whatever might come next. OHP highlighted that while their troopers receive medical training that includes the basics of childbirth, such events are rare. “Our medical training includes the basics of delivering a baby – something we hope we don’t encounter often – but when the moment comes, our troopers are ready to help,” the agency noted.
In a heartwarming conclusion, OHP expressed their congratulations to the family, stating, “To the family, we are thrilled for you and grateful that Trooper Shelby could be there in your moment of need! Congratulations on your new arrival!”
Unusual roadside deliveries are not unheard of; earlier this year, a couple in Michigan welcomed their baby in a McDonald’s parking lot while rushing to the hospital.
This remarkable incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the vital role first responders play in emergency situations. For more on this developing story, watch the video below.
