Audio By Carbonatix
As a law enforcement officer, Eagle Police Chief Joey Staufer is trained to be relaxed under pressure.
And judging by audio of a 911 call that captures him delivering his own daughter on the side of a highway — hear two samples of it below — that training paid off.
His wife and baby are said to be doing fine — and Kelly Klein, the 911 operator who helped Staufer through the procedure, will be receiving a commendation of his own.
According to the Town of Vail, the drama began at 2:07 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, near the Gypsum off-ramp, exit 140, on Interstate 70.
This year, make your gift count –
Invest in local news that matters.
Our work is funded by readers like you who make voluntary gifts because they value our work and want to see it continue. Make a contribution today to help us reach our $50,000 goal!
The area is captured in the following interactive graphic. If you have problems seeing the image, click “View on Google Maps.”
The first audio clip finds Staufer talking calmly as his wife can be heard screaming in the background.
The initial plan was for the Staufers to meet emergency crews at the Gypsum Fire Station.
However, they only made it as far as the ramp when the youngest Staufer insisted upon making her debut immediately.
The second clip captures the big moment. After audible exertions from the girl’s mother, a cry echoes in the background.
“We have a baby,” Staufer announces, as coolly as if he’d just taken delivery of a pizza rather than a person.
The family was transported to an area hospital and all has gone well since then. In the meantime, Klein will be award a pink stork pin and have his name inscribed on a plaque at Vail’s communication center.
Below, find the two audio snippets, followed by a larger version of the photo at the top of this post.