Former Las Vegas cop Randy Sutton saved Jacqueline Martinez when she was shot in the face as an infant.
When 17-year-old Jacqueline Martinez graduated high school with honors on Monday, one very special guest was there to witness her achievement.
Among those celebrating was Randy Sutton, a former police officer who saved her life more than a decade ago.
The special bond between the two began in 1998 when a bullet struck Jacqueline — who was just a month old at the time — during a gang-related shooting.
"I saw a car on the sidewalk and heard screaming coming from the car," Sutton, who was then a patrol sergeant with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, told InsideEdition.com.
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He rushed toward the commotion and noticed an infant in the back seat of the car who had been shot several times. The baby was severely injured.
“I couldn’t wait for the ambulance,” said Sutton. “The bullet ripped through her cheek and she wasn’t breathing.”
The former sergeant gave the wounded infant mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to save her.
“She started to cry and it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard,” said Sutton.
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When he attended Jacqueline’s graduation party following the ceremony at Valley High School in Las Vegas on Monday, Sutton recalled that fateful day as a life-changing moment for him.
“It gave birth to an entire chapter of my life,” said Sutton, who was with the police department for 34 years. “Seeing her now, it’s emotional for me.”
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Jacqueline told InsideEdition.com that Sutton has been there for every important moment of her life.
“He’s always been there for me and stayed in contact with our family,” Jacqueline said. “He means a lot to me and my family.”
Her fondest memory of time with Sutton was when he visited her home and handed her a ring that had been passed down throughout his family.
During her quinceañera, the teen surprised the retired officer with a special dance.
Jacqueline is now preparing to attend Nevada State College with dreams of helping the world and giving back.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my little girl,” said Sutton. “Ask who my hero is, it’s Jackie.”
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