Police answer mother’s 9-1-1 call for baby formula

Officers pay for formula out of their own pockets

ALPINE, Utah (KYMA, KECY) - Some Utah police officers take "protect and serve" to a whole new level, when they help a mother of five with a dilemma in the middle of the night.

Shannon Bird couldn't nurse her six-week-old daughter. Shannon desperately needed formula, but it was two in the morning, her husband was out of town, and she had no one to care for her four older children while she went to the store.

"I have no formula. And I have no idea how I can get formula to her. And I've been calling neighbors and no one will answer." said Shannon.

So she called 9-1-1.

Officers with the Lone Peak Police Department responded. They showed up with a gallon of milk. When they realized their mistake, the officers then went to Walmart to get some formula...and they reached into their own pockets to pay for it.

Shannon says she was stunned.

"I was not expecting them to go get that food for me. Honestly, maybe you guys can just patrol my house while I'm away and I wake up my eight year old."

Officer Dave Ventrano says he and his partner were just doing their jobs.

"It's been about protect and serve. This is part of the serve. We are here to serve the public."

Shannon says she's extremely grateful.

"I had never been that frantic. Like what do you do? Thank you for helping people in situations where they can't help themselves in emergencies."