Retired officer reunites with baby he rescued 24 years ago, now a fellow officer

Reunions often bring a rush of emotions and memories, and retired police lieutenant Gene Eyster experienced this firsthand recently. CBS News reports that Eyster recalled an unforgettable incident from over twenty years ago during his service. One day, he received a call about an abandoned infant. "It was one of the strangest calls: 'We have a found baby in a box.' You always wonder, what happened?" Eyster shared.

Back then, Eyster found the baby boy in a cardboard box and followed protocol by taking him to a hospital. He still cherishes a particular memory: "He was born a few days before Christmas and placed in a box, like a manger. So, I called him Baby Jesus," he told TODAY. Eyster even returned with a teddy bear, symbolizing that the baby was cared for. After that, he never saw the boy again and often wondered what became of him.

Eyster was only told that the baby was adopted but had no further information. "I wondered, 'What did he turn out to be?' Have I ever arrested him? Is he alive?" Eyster pondered. His questions were answered in an unexpected and joyous way. Eyster got a call from another police officer asking if he remembered the baby. Eyster confirmed, and the officer revealed, "You won't believe this, but Baby Jesus is sitting next to me. He's my rookie."

The young man, now 24-year-old Matthew Hegedus-Stewart, explained that he was the abandoned baby, leading to the discovery that Eyster had been involved in his case. Matthew, now a rookie cop, said, "Full circle moment. That hit home. I can only imagine from his point of view." Eyster felt this reunion was especially poignant, as it coincided with the tragic passing of his son Nick. "The timing couldn't have been better. It helped fill a void," he remarked.

"I see some mannerisms in Matt that remind me of my son — the same grin, laugh, dark hair, and stature," Eyster noted. The multiple coincidences leading to their reunion were astonishing. "Matt completed his field training and was assigned to the same area where he was found as a baby. What are the odds?" Eyster marveled. The retired lieutenant finds comfort knowing that his actions in 2000 helped save a baby who grew up to be an exceptional young man. "I've spoken to Matt's supervisors, and they all say he's a kind officer and a good kid. His parents did a wonderful job raising him," Eyster praised.

Editor's Note: The article was originally published in July 2024.