This Police Officer Pulled Over the Man Who Delivered Him as a Baby 27 Years Ago — What Are the Odds?

When Michael Patterson, a state trooper from New Jersey, pulled over Matthew Bailly for a minor traffic violation in Kingwood Township, NJ, on June 1, he had no idea he was stopping the person who helped deliver him 27 years prior. In a now-viral Facebook post, the New Jersey State Police shared the unlikely coincidence, and wow, it really is a small world.

After pulling over Matthew, the two got to talking and realised they had an awful lot in common. Matthew told Michael he was a retired police officer from Piscataway, NJ — the same town where Michael grew up — and soon enough the pair connected some interesting dots.

"Mr. Bailly asked Trooper Patterson where he used to live. When Trooper Patterson told him that he grew up on Poe Place, Mr. Bailly said that he remembered that street because he helped deliver a baby there 27 years ago when he was a rookie cop. He was even able to describe the colour, style of house, and the baby's name, Michael."

At that moment, Michael lit up and "extended his hand and replied, 'My name is Michael Patterson, sir. Thank you for delivering me.'"

After hearing his mom tell him the story about the day he was born on Oct. 5, 1991, time and time again, Michael knew Matthew's experience sounded all-too familiar.

"My mom tells that story once a year on my birthday," Michael told People. "Every single year!" He added that he knew he was the baby in question when Matthew began to describe the house he grew up in: "I'm thinking, where is this going? So I asked him how long ago he delivered the baby, and he said it was going back around 27 years. Then he went as far as describing the house I grew up in . . . then he said the baby's name was Michael."

So how exactly did Michael's birthday go down? According to the Facebook post, he couldn't wait to come out.

"Trooper Patterson's mother, Karen Patterson, was out shopping when she went into labor. She barely made it home. Bobby Patterson, Trooper Patterson's father, rushed outside, picked up his wife, and carried her inside the house. He then called the doctor who talked Officer Bailly through the birth. Needless to say, Trooper Patterson, Matthew Bailly, and both of their families were ecstatic about the reunion."

After exchanging their contact information, Michael made his way back to his car and called his mom — who was understandably shocked by the chance encounter.

"She was completely floored, completely awestruck," Michael said. "It was a good time for every single member of my family, being a part of an experience that's so unlikely. It happens maybe once in a lifetime."

Since the routine traffic stop, Michael and Matthew have made it a point to catch up on the last 27 years. In fact, Matthew and his wife hosted Michael and his mom for dinner shortly after.

"It feels awesome, I believe it was a divine encounter, I definitely think it was purposeful for us to meet back up," Michael said. "I'm going to hold on to this relationship."