Corporal Hunter Willoughby of the Miami Township Police Department in Ohio recently went viral on social media after body-camera footage showed him coming to the aid of a new mother who was desperate to feed her 1-week-old baby.
On June 15, a frantic 9-1-1 call was made around 3 a.m. by a woman who said her milk had dried up and was unable to feed her newborn child. Willoughby sprang into action by making a late-night formula run to a local Meijer store, slapping on windows, knocking on doors and using his flashlight to get the attention of an employee after the store had long closed.
“There is a mom who said her milk dried up and she can’t find anywhere to buy formula,” Willoughby told an employee. “Is there anyone here who can turn on a cash register?”
“I believe so,” the employee said.
“OK, because I’ll buy it for her and take it to her,” Willoughby replied.
Willoughby made sure to buy the right kind of formula with the help of Meijer employees.
“What else do you need?” an employee asks. “Do you have a bottle?”
“Good thinking,” Willoughby said.
Willoughby thanked the employee at Meijer for helping him when the store was closed.
“It was just a matter of time before someone would see my light,” Willoughby told Fox19. “Luckily, the employee was super friendly. She was just as willing as I was to try and figure out a solution.”
Willoughby explained that when he received the call for the formula, he only told the mom he would call her back.
“I went and purchased the formula and was able to call her on my way and told her I’d be there in a few minutes and surprised her with the formula,” Willoughby said. “She actually had the baby with her on the front step and was able to give her the formula. She offered to pay me, but I wouldn’t accept it. She was very, very appreciative.”
Miami Township Police Chief Mike Mills was proud of Willoughby and said this is how he likes to see the officers in his department perform.
“That’s the kind of guy he is,” Mills said. “I’m not surprised by it by the simple fact that we endorse it with all of the officers. It makes me proud to be their chief.”
