When a man in New Mexico was found driving drunk, officers Sam Rodriguez and Roger Garcia weren’t sure what to do first. The 24-year-old man had been driving with his children in the car. The oldest child was 5 years old, and the two younger children were 2 years old and 2 months old. When the policemen saw the kids, they witnessed signs of negligence. The baby was not secured in the car seat, and the children had no idea when they had last eaten.
Hearing this spurred the officers into action. Instead of focusing on bringing their father to justice, they responded to a more urgent need. The kids were freezing, and they were frightened and hungry. The police officers quickly realized that they could provide security and even sustenance to those kids.
By the side of the road, Garcia mixed a bottle of formula, warming the water with the car’s heater. The officers held and comforted the baby and changed dirty diapers. Although they really didn’t have experience caring for young children, their fatherly instincts proved to be strong. Because they responded quickly, the officers were able to give these children the care and comfort that they so desperately needed.