Guttenberg Police Chief Derek Chambers last week presented officer Kari Hoyheim with a Stork Award, a special recognition given to law enforcement officers and first responders who successfully assist in the unexpected delivery of a baby while on duty.

On Oct. 4, Hoyheim responded south of Guttenberg to the emergency call of a mother in labor in a vehicle. The mother and father were previously en route to Dubuque but had turned around once knowing they would not make it there in time. Hoyheim located the vehicle traveling north bound back toward Guttenberg, and the vehicle stopped on the side of the road. Hoyheim then calmly and professionally assisted the mother in the birth of her healthy baby girl.

Hoyheim was presented this Stork Award for bringing calm and assurance to the chaos when a new baby won the race against the responders to the scene.

The 20-year veteran of the Guttenberg Police Department was humble in her acceptance of the award, calling the parents the real heroes for their awareness and ability to remain calm.

“It still makes me smile when I think of that day, being in the right place at the right time, but both parents had this under control,” she said.