Ridgefield police officer helps deliver baby boy

A Ridgefield police officer helped deliver a baby boy Wednesday morning in a credit union parking lot.

Around 7:30 a.m., Officer David Bone was flagged down near the Interstate 5 junction to Ridgefield by a woman who said her passenger was about to give birth. Bone went to the car and was preparing to help the woman, Aja Shelton, lie down in the front seat when it became apparent the baby was on his way out.

“The baby’s head was already coming out when I dropped my hands down and caught him,” Bone said.

He held the baby until paramedics arrived a few minutes later; he also cut the umbilical cord.

Before he was flagged down, Bone was at the Chevron gas station next door to the iQ Credit Union to fill up his patrol car. The women who asked for his help had just called 911. Medical crews were coming from La Center, about 10 minutes away.

“So, it was up to me to deliver the baby,” Bone said. “The driver of the car was very relieved when I showed up.”

Bone drew on his prior experience delivering babies as a paramedic in California. This, however, was his first delivery since joining the Ridgefield Police Department in 2005.

“I felt very comfortable. This would be my 14th baby (delivery),” Bone said. “This is the cool part of our job. It was very special.”

Shelton and her newborn, Silas, were transported to Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. The boy’s due date was July 11. Shelton recently moved to Ridgefield with her husband, Seth Shelton, and their two sons, who also were born ahead of schedule.