In Lt. Renato Anaya’s 21 years with the Atlanta Police Department, he never thought he would deliver a baby. Nicole and James Watson never thought they would hold their newborn for the first time at a southwest Atlanta gas station just past midnight.
That’s what happened when a hectic moment turned to joy early on June 25.
“You just have to expect the unexpected,” Anaya told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at police headquarters this week. “I always keep that in mind. So even though we’re out there patrolling, you just have to be ready for whatever comes at you.”
Anaya and his partner, who the department identified as Sgt. Thomas, were patrolling along Cascade Avenue in southwest Atlanta when they noticed people in a white SUV trying to flag them down. Honking and shining the bright lights, James Watson said he lowered his window and asked the officers to escort them to a hospital. Nicole Watson was in the passenger seat, aware the baby’s arrival was imminent.
The couple barely made it one block before they diverted to a gas station.
“I had to realize that we weren’t going to make it to the hospital. I just told him to pull over and I had to kind of resolve that he was going to come in my car at a gas station,” Nicole Watson said. “I didn’t know how safely we could do this but I also didn’t want to be driving down the road and have him come out.”
Anaya and Thomas pulled into the station behind them, letting dispatch know they would need firefighters or Grady paramedics at the scene as soon as possible. They immediately got out of their patrol vehicle, ready to help.
At that point, James Watson said he was already holding the baby’s head and shoulders.
When Anaya stepped in, the new dad said he gladly moved aside, noting that the lieutenant’s composure made him feel safe. Moments later, at 12:16 a.m., Anaya held the newborn under the night sky as the rain fell.
“Baby is out. Baby boy. Congratulations,” Anaya said in body camera footage released by the department. A father of three, he said his instincts kicked in when duty called. Anaya said he was not nervous, just excited to be part of such an important moment.
“The family did an outstanding job, especially mom, and we are extremely happy for them and their new baby boy,” the department said in a post recognizing Anaya.
Soon after the birth, Thomas cut the umbilical cord with a pocketknife while Anaya calmly held a quiet baby Jace. When the newborn began crying, the joy settled in.
“When he gave that first cry,” Anaya said. “I knew that the baby was fine, and it was like a relief.”
Credit: James Watson
Credit: James Watson
It took paramedics about 20 minutes to get to the gas station and take the couple to the hospital, James said.
“When I held him, I looked at (Nicole) and I said, ‘This baby is 9 pounds and 5 ounces,’” James Watson said. “And we get to the hospital, he was 9 pounds and 7 ounces. So I was super, super close.”
Their house now filled with three children, the Watsons said Baby Jace is fitting right in, getting along with his siblings and growing well.
“He is phenomenal,” Nicole Watson said. “He’s past his birth weight. He’s doing great.”
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
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