The power of kindness

Captain Von Narcisse has made it his life’s mission to help people. As a police officer, he’s helped hundreds of people over his 22-year career. Two years ago, driving into work, he didn’t hesitate to assist when he came upon a bad car accident on Interstate 95. He found out later that the woman in the car, who fully recovered from minor injuries, was a Yale employee.

As told by Captain Von Narcisse, Yale Police Department

On September 25, 2018, the day started like any other – get ready for work, breakfast, hop in the car, and get going. During my regular commute, on I-95 heading north toward campus, traffic suddenly ground to a crawl. It was a particularly rainy, grey morning, with spurts of downpours making visibility challenging. As I started to creep forward in the left-hand lane, I noticed a small car, with the front end badly smashed, sideways near the center divider. The driver’s side door was wide open, and I could see someone sitting inside.

I quickly recognized that the car had been involved in a significant crash, and knew I had to check for injuries. I contacted our Yale police dispatch, advised them of the incident, and asked them to notify the Connecticut State Police and request emergency medical assistance.

Turning on the emergency lights in my unmarked vehicle and making sure my badge was visible around my neck, I walked over to check on the occupant of the demolished car. As I approached, I saw that the airbag had deployed. The woman sitting in the driver’s seat was bleeding from her face and arms. Her hair and clothes were covered with shattered glass, but thankfully she was conscious and alert.  

Identifying myself as a Yale police officer, I told her more help was on the way. I started talking to her asking if she had any pain as I visually assessed for other signs of trauma. I was also able to confirm there was no one else in the vehicle at the time of impact. Based on what she told me, I spotted a large truck that had pulled off onto the right shoulder, with its hazard lights on.

I assured her I would not leave until help arrived. While trying to keep her engaged and conscious, I found out she was headed to work at Yale! I promised that I’d check on her afterward, and offered to answer any questions about this process. Although I knew she was in pain, we kept up the conversation until the responding CT State Trooper arrived.

After providing the State Trooper with the information needed for his response, I advised him I’d check on the motorist in the large truck. Then I told my new acquaintance and fellow Yale Bulldog that she was in good hands and that I had to leave—wishing her well, I gave her my business card.

Just down the road, I spoke with the driver of the large semi-truck, who was still waiting on the shoulder. Notifying our dispatch of the truck’s license plate, I spoke to the operator and confirmed no injuries. This was all done in the pouring rain. Thoroughly drenched, I then made my way to Yale Police headquarters to start work.

The next day I was alerted that a package of cupcakes had been dropped off at my desk. Thinking my colleague was kidding, I just shrugged it off. To my surprise, I found there were delicious cupcakes waiting for me from the woman I had helped the day before. Julianne Dorset, a Research Assistant at the School of Medicine, had dropped them off to thank me for helping her. The gesture really touched me.

We talked the next week, as I had wanted to check on her and thank her for the cupcakes. Not long after, we arranged to meet at her office, and we’ve stayed in touch a few times since the accident, which was now two years ago. I’m happy to know she is healthy, in good spirits, and still working here at Yale.

I reflect on this encounter often. As a law enforcement officer, I hear a lot about our profession from people from all walks of life. It can get frustrating when we are judged as a whole by specific actions. 

When I focus on what we stand for, knowing the millions of encounters we engage in yearly, I’m encouraged. When I stopped that day, I only wanted to help. Nothing else mattered. I didn’t worry or wonder about her background, religious preference, racial tolerance, gender, etc. My job was to see if she was okay and to assist as needed. That’s who I am. That’s who we are, and we will keep doing our duty.