Alabama State Trooper Is Startled When He Discovers Why This Panicked Couple Was Speeding

An Alabama state trooper was startled when he became part of a routine traffic stop that quickly morphed into the delivery of a baby boy Sunday morning.

Trooper Michael Kesler pulled a couple over for speeding in Limestone County, but as he approached the vehicle to question the couple, he was surprised to see that mom-to-be Shawna Lowe was in the midst of labor and was at the point of delivery, according to USA Today.

"I got out and went to [Kesler] and I said, I'm sorry I know I was speeding, but my wife's about to give delivery," husband Danny Lowe told WHNT-TV. "I don't think he believed me," Danny added, remarking that this immediately changed when Shawna began screaming that the baby was coming.

As Danny rushed over to help guide the baby out into the world, Kesler worked with the couple, bringing towels over to shield 6-pound, 19.5-inch Barrett Lowe from the 29 degree weather immediately after his delivery and calling an ambulance to come and take Shawna and the baby to the hospital, WHNT reported.

"Without hesitation, Trooper Kesler quickly acted and assisted in the delivery of the baby," Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier told WHNT.

After the Lowes were safely transported to Athens Hospital, Kesler stopped at a store to purchase flowers, cupcakes and a newborn baby starter kit to drop off to the family at the hospital when he came back to visit them, according to NBC News.

"Trooper Kesler's actions today exemplify the mission of the Alabama State Troopers — to serve and protect. I want to personally commend Trooper Kesler for his swift actions and going above and beyond the call of duty," Collier said in his statement.

Although Kesler ultimately did issue the Lowes a speed warning, Danny expressed his gratitude for the trooper's traffic stop because "if he didn't, we would have been 2 more blocks and she would have to do it on her own. Or we would have wrecked ... by him stopping me and doing his job he probably saved our lives." WHNT reported. "He doesn't have to do that kind of stuff, it came from his heart."

"I got to witness a 6 pound 10 ounce baby being born and it made my day worth coming to work," Kesler said, adding that, "It's a newly acquired friendship. We're going to know each other a long time."

—

Follow Kathryn Blackhurst (@kablackhurst) on Twitter