Many years ago this policeman sаved her, now he walks to her wedding
Sergeant Joseph Barca is Shammarah Hamideh’s «second father» because he resurrected her as a two-month-old baby in her Yonkers, New York, home.
And he saw her walk down the aisle 20 years later.
The New York police officer was the first on the scene on December 28, 1993, after receiving a call that an infant was not breathing just a few blocks from where he was patrolling.
Barca arrived as the infant’s father was holding the child in his arms. The Sergeant began artificial respiration by rolling the two-month-old baby over and using the obstructed airway technique, which involves repeatedly striking her back until a ball of mucus comes out.
Shammarah Hamideh’s «second father» is Sergeant Joseph Barca, who resurrected her as a two-month-old baby in her Yonkers, New York, home.
And 20 years later, he saw her walk down the aisle.
On December 28, 1993, the New York police officer was the first on the scene after receiving a call that an infant was not breathing just a few blocks from where he was patrolling.
The infant’s father was holding the child in his arms when Barca arrived. The Sergeant began artificial respiration by rolling the two-month-old baby over and employing the obstructed airway technique, which involves striking her back repeatedly until a ball of mucus emerges.
When мHamideh decided to marry in 2014, she turned to a young woman in her twenties.
Barca, who has maintained contact with the Hamideh family over the years, and his wife Helen would travel to Chicago to attend the wedding.
Hamideh married Mohammed Salah, a truck driver, and intended to relocate to Chicago.
«It’s almost like something out of a fairytale,» Barca told TODAY. «Just give me the date, and it will be no problem getting out there,» he said when Hamideh called to tell him about the wedding. It’s just a wonderful feeling that you can’t describe.»
«He’s so sweet,» Hamideh said, according to the Westchester Journal.
«He’s very thoughtful; every year on my birthday, he sends me a card and a check.» They treat me as if I were their daughter.»
During his time with the Yonkers Police Department, Barca saved dozens of lives, including those trapped in the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks.
