For Immediate Release
Contact: Julia Keane 508-368-7226 or 774-530-1207
WEBSTER – Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. today recognized a Webster Police Officer and Webster EMS for their quick and coordinated response during an unexpected at-home childbirth earlier this year.
Webster Police Officer Melissa Bak, Webster Emergency Medical Services Lt. Austin Bacigalupo, Paramedic Cassandra Pires, Paramedic Errol Defreitas, Paramedic Andrew Godfrin and South Worcester County Communication Center Dispatcher Rebecca Prefontaine were presented with the District Attorney’s Team Excellence and Merit – TEAM – Award, which recognizes outstanding service and coordination by those in public safety.
“In medical emergencies like this, every second counts,” said Mr. Early. “Officer Bak demonstrated great urgency and professionalism. She worked seamlessly with this highly skilled team of paramedics, firefighters, police officers and dispatcher to safely deliver this baby.”
On March 19, 2025, at approximately 4:07 p.m., Dispatcher Rebecca Prefontaine received a call from a Webster resident reporting that his 36-year-old wife, who was 37 weeks pregnant, had gone into active labor at their home. Dispatcher Prefontaine quickly coordinated the emergency response, dispatching police and EMS to the scene while advising the caller on how to best help his wife until assistance arrived.
Webster Police Officer Melissa Bak, while on another call, heard the distress call over the radio and quickly diverted herself to help, arriving first at the scene. Upon her arrival, she reported that she could already feel the head of the baby. She quickly provided critical assistance to the woman, successfully delivering her baby in less than one minute.
Shortly thereafter, Webster EMS personnel arrived on the scene and provided essential medical care to both mother and newborn, who were then transported to a local hospital. Due to the high-risk nature of the pregnancy, their timely support was crucial to ensuring a safe transition to advanced care.
“This incident is a shining example of the professionalism displayed by the public safety professionals in Webster,” said Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw. “From the pre arrival instructions and reassurance of Dispatcher Prefontaine, to the actions of Officer Bak, in delivering the child, and the critical life saving care Webster Paramedics Lt. Bacigalupo, Pires, Defreitas and Godfrin all provided to both mother and child while transported to the hospital are positive proof that the Town of Webster has a public safety team that is second to none.”
The TEAM Award was created by Mr. Early in 2019 to recognize public safety employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. Contact the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office at (508) 755-8601 to nominate someone for this award.
