The way in which Patrick Ray and Bexley, who is just two years old, became friends is the stuff of any mother’s worst nightmares, yet their bond is rather unique.
On July 26 of last year, Bexley was at home with her mother, Tammy Norvell, and her siblings, all of whom were enjoying themselves in the swimming pool. After they had finished playing in the water, their mother took them inside to get ready for a nap. After that, she saw Bexley’s lips for the first time.
Even though the temperature wasn’t particularly low and Bexley wasn’t experiencing any chills, her lips retained their icy hue. Then she passed out completely.
Tammy recalls that her friend become absolutely limp. “It was more than just getting some shut-eye. She has just passed out. I tried to stare into her eyes, but she seemed so far away. We had no idea that she had taken anything into her mouth.
She was unaware that the toddler, who was just two years old, had inadvertently inhaled a penny and was unable to breathe as a result.
She yelled for Bexley’s father to contact the emergency services. Ray, who was on his lunch break at the time, responded to the call when it came in after it had been sent out by Dispatch. When he came, he found Tammy holding the toddler who was choking. The footage from Ray’s body cam shows that he was successful in rescuing Bexley after only 27 seconds.
“When I glanced at her, all I could see were these enormous eyes of blue staring back at me. It was almost as if she was saying, “I know you’re here to help me,” and I took it to mean that. Ray stated.
Tammy remarked that she had “heard [Ray’s] siren and rushed out the front door.” “He has grabbed her away from me and is attempting to use both of his hands to pry open her mouth. While he was doing the finger sweep into her esophagus, he accidentally dropped a cent inside it. Then we heard the most wonderful sound of her squeaking, coughing, and weeping at that very moment.
Ray and Bexley have grown closer over the course of a year.
“We saw them for Thanksgiving, we had Christmas together, and he came to my kids’ parties,” said Tammy. “We saw them for Thanksgiving, we had Christmas together.” Even after all this time, I find that I am at a loss for words. I have the utmost respect for police officers, but there is no way that I can repay Ray for what he’s done. I want people to get the impression that they have a gentler side to them. If we can improve the perception of law enforcement in just one person’s mind, then the world will be a better place.
At that point, Bexley made the decision to extend an invitation to Ray to attend a very special event—her tea party.
Because the cameras were rolling, fortunately for us, we don’t have to just imagine how adorable the two of them were; instead, we get to really see:
According to what Ray said in an interview with ABC News, “It was something that I just couldn’t turn down because I knew it was going to be incredibly memorable for her mom and Bexley.”
“Because I have two boys, I don’t get to do the kinds of things that you do with a little girl,” she said. “I wish I did.” She has a kind and gentle nature. She is one of my closest friends.
In the video below, you can see more special moments from Ray and Bexley’s adorable tea party: