BRUNSWICK, Ohio — For the first time, we are hearing from the 911 dispatchers who played a key role in a statewide Amber Alert and rescue operation that led to the safe return of a 7-year-old girl abducted by her non-custodial father.
The dispatchers' calm, quick-thinking during an intense and high-pressure situation proved to be a lifeline for the child — and their actions highlight the critical role dispatchers play in saving lives.
The kidnapping occurred last Monday, triggering a chain of events that would end with law enforcement fatally shooting the father and safely rescuing the girl. What’s often not seen or recognized, however, is the team behind the scenes — the 911 operators who handle these life-or-death situations with poise.
Jamie Dale and her partner Rebecca Dembowski, both communication specialists with the Brunswick Police Department, were the first operators to hear the urgent call that would set into motion a statewide rescue operation. Their calm response in the face of potential danger was pivotal.
"It's hard. It was hard hearing that he was willing to harm a little girl," Dale said, reflecting on the call. "But we just went into work mode. We know how to handle these situations."
The drama unfolded when a concerned caller alerted police to a suspicious U-Haul truck near the Winking Lizard in Brunswick. When an officer attempted to pull over the vehicle, a high-speed chase ensued, and shortly after, Dale's phone rang.
The voice on the other end of the line was Charles Alexander, the child's non-custodial father, claiming he was being chased by law enforcement and threatening to harm both himself and his daughter.
"I immediately said, 'Please don’t do that, we can talk. What’s going on? What’s your daughter’s name?'" Dale recalled. "I tried to build a rapport with him. I just had to keep him calm, keep him talking, and focus on getting the right information."
The dispatchers’ training and quick thinking proved crucial. While Dale was working to keep Alexander calm, her partner, Rebecca Dembowski, worked behind the scenes to relay information to law enforcement officers, coordinating the response in real-time.
The tension built as law enforcement tracked the vehicle, and a standoff ensued. Finally, the father was confronted, and the girl was safely rescued. But the emotional toll of the situation did not escape the dispatchers.
"This absolutely shapes who I am, both in my career and my personal life," Dembowski said. "I try to be a good person and really be there to help people, even when I’m not at work. That’s what makes a good person."
Both dispatchers agreed that moments like these will stay with them for a lifetime. The incident served as a powerful reminder of the critical work 911 operators do, often under immense pressure.
"We know what to do next time, in case, God forbid, it ever happens again," Dale said.
For the dispatchers, the key to managing these high-stakes calls lies in the speed and accuracy of the information they receive. They urge people to always provide their address as quickly as possible when calling 911. This helps operators respond more efficiently and ensure the best possible outcome.
"Immediately giving us your address is the most important thing you can do to help us help you," Dale said.