The public’s connection with police officers has become a heated topic in recent months. However, there are still stories of the bravery of the men and women who wear the badge. Despite the fact that the story is not new, it restores trust in the existence of good people.

The occurrence took place in 2014. The event was Shammarah Hamidah’s wedding, a charming young lady of 20 years. Joe Barca, a 63-year-old New York police captain, was a special guest of honor at her wedding in addition to her family.

He was neither a relative nor a close friend. Why then did the Hamidahs treat this policeman in such high esteem?

Two Decades and a Connection

The two’s bond began on December 26th, 1993, which was twenty years before the wedding day. Shammarah had just turned two months old. A few blocks from the home of Hamidah, Sergeant Joe (who wasn’t yet a captain) was on patrol. At that point, he heard on the radio that a newborn appeared to be having trouble breathing.

Barca was the first police officer to arrive to assist Shammarah’s terrified parents. When the police officer put Shammarah into her arms, he remembered how the baby’s legs and arms dangled lifelessly.

He told CBS that he then put the infant in the back seat of his car and drove her to the hospital. But he felt he had to take action. So he flipped her over and whacked the baby on the back. Sammarah’s life was spared when the infant coughed up the mucous that was strangling her. She was breathing again and sobbing as loudly as she could by the time they arrived at the hospital.

The day was still referred to as the «peak of his career» by Barca. He merely did what his training advised him to do, according to Barca. Shammarah was the first child on whom he had to do CPR.

This bond would last for the rest of their lives.

The Police Officer And The Young Lady

Twenty years later, Shammarah was engaged to Mohammed Salah, a truck driver. As a result, she invited Joe and Helen Barca to the event. Shammarah regarded his appearance as extremely essential.

In truth, Barca had kept in touch with the Hammidahs over the years. Shammarah regarded him as a second father figure. In the CBS interview, Shammarah tells how the Barcas would continuously wish him a happy birthday. They’d also send Shammarah a gift and a check for Christmas. They had never missed any of the events throughout the past two decades.

Shammarah said she remembered that the first time she got to know of the police officer’s heroics was via an old recorded news video. As thankful as she is that Barca saved her life, she found it even more meaningful that he always stayed in touch.

Barca was more than willing to drive 14 hours to Chicago from New York to see the baby he had saved all grown-up. He also has three children of his own – one is a teacher while the other two are police officers. Barca was about to retire in January 2015, calling time on a 45-year-long career.

Shammarah, on her part, also wants to be someone like Barca and have the power to serve people. She had graduated from nursing school and had a promising nursing career in front of her.

There are some encounters that forever change our lives. Having a hero like police officer Joe Barca is one of the rarer encounters that can happen. However, it is touching to see them cherish each other even after such a long time. Perhaps, we can take a page out of their book and try harder to not lose contact with our loved ones.