Police Officer Patrick Ray of the Rowlett Texas Police Department was invited to a special tea party where he was the guest of honor. This party honoring Ray’s service was hosted by 2-year-old Bexley Norvell, the toddler whose life Ray saved last year. A photographer captured the magical moment for Bexley’s family and Ray to cherish for years to come. [1]
On July 26, 2015, Bexley was spending a quiet afternoon playing with her siblings in the pool. As her mother, Tammy Norvell, picked her up for a nap, she noticed that Bexley’s lips were turning blue and she seemed to be wilting. It was much more than her daughter simply nodding off for a nap. Norvell was perplexed as she hadn’t seen her daughter do anything that would warrant such behavior such as swallowing copious water or a foreign object.
Fearing for her baby’s life, Norvell called 911 when Ray took the call. He had been out on his lunch break, but decided to respond to Norvell’s request.
Norvell said of the incident:
“I heard [Ray’s] siren and ran out the front door. He’s grabbing her from me and is trying to pry her mouth open with two hands. He did the finger sweep into her esophagus and a penny dropped down into it. That’s when we heard the most beautiful sound of her squeaking and coughing and crying.”
Bexley had apparently swallowed a penny, unbeknownst to her mother. And Ray was able to save her life in under 30 seconds, according to his camera, or 27 seconds to be exact.
Now the two families remain close, sharing a bond that can never be broken.
Norvell said:
“We saw [Ray’s family] for Thanksgiving, we had Christmas together, he came to my kids’ parties. I feel that I have no words, even after a year. I hold [police officers] all in high regard, but there’s no way to repay [Ray]. I want to portray that image, that they have a softer side. If we can change one person’s image of police officers, then the world can only be better.” [2]
Ray said he couldn’t pass up the tea party with Bexley. As a father of sons, he said it was a special moment he doesn’t get very often.
Sources:
[1] Yahoo News
[2] ABC News