By Jon Johnson
CLIFTON — Numerous Postal Service authorities, emergency responders, and community members gathered at the Clifton Post Office on Tuesday morning to honor postal clerk Mary Schwarz and Clifton Police Lt. Shari Aguilar, whose rapid, life-saving teamwork revived an 8-month-old infant in medical distress earlier this summer.
The special ceremony brought together USPS leadership, local police, and the grateful Vega family to celebrate the July 11 incident that turned a routine package drop-off into a miraculous rescue.
On July 11, local mother Kylie Vega walked into the post office with her infant daughter, Nova. When Nova became unresponsive, limp, and stopped breathing, Schwarz—a former registered nurse of 13 years—immediately jumped into action. Assessing that the baby had no pulse, Schwarz initiated CPR and performed back thrusts.
Lt. Shari Aguilar of the Clifton Police Department arrived within seconds, and the pair quickly decided to transport Nova in Aguilar’s patrol vehicle rather than wait for an ambulance. As Lt. Aguilar drove with lights and sirens activated, Schwarz continued chest compressions and back thrusts in the front seat until Nova began breathing again on the way to the emergency room. Nova, who was born with a congenital heart defect, was later flown to Tucson for open-heart surgery and has since made a strong recovery.
USPS leadership traveled from across the region to present Schwarz with a formal Special Achievement Award straight from the Postmaster General, along with an official commendation from the Western-Pacific Area Vice President Eduardo Ruiz.
“We’re here to recognize Mary for her heroic effort as a postal employee,” said Ruiz. “Every year we have many postal employees that do heroics, like Mary did a couple of weeks ago, and we always like to recognize them because they go over and beyond. Mary’s no different—she’s our hero here in the state of Arizona, and we’re very proud of her. She saved such a beautiful little baby, and she’s looking great, and we’re so happy about that.”
Manager of Post Office Operations George Lopez and District Manager Avi Kumar joined Ruiz in presenting the national award and commemorative coin. Ruiz called Schwarz, Lt. Aguilar, and the Vega family to the front for the presentation.
Accepting the award, an emotional Schwarz reflected on her path from healthcare to the postal service and credited Divine providence and her prior training for preparing her to save little Nova.
“I’m just really grateful that everything worked out the way that it did,” Schwarz said. “I had said previously I never saw my future working in the post office. Now I think that it was God’s timing for sure. I get very emotional when I think about that day, but I’m very, very grateful that I had the opportunity to work here and be here for Nova that day, and that I had the training that it took to keep baby Nova here with us… I’m very grateful to see her. Her mom brings her in, and it makes my day. Just makes my day seeing her.”
Schwarz also credited Lt. Aguilar for her seamless collaboration during the emergency transport. Lt. Aguilar noted that working together as a team was essential to getting Nova to medical professionals in time.
“When I saw Mary there that day, I knew she knew what she was doing,” Lt. Aguilar shared. “We realized we had to get her up there fast… Mary held her and said yes, it’s better if it’s faster.”
Clifton Police Chief Omar Negrete praised Lt. Aguilar’s quick decision-making and expressed deep appreciation for the outcome.
“I’m just grateful to have Lieutenant Aguilar in the police department,” Chief Negrete said. “She’s very intelligent and does very well with any emergencies. Saving a life is always important, and again, she’s a great asset to the department. Mary did a fantastic job—it’s amazing that everybody was where they were at.”
For Kylie Vega, the ceremony was a chance to express profound relief and gratitude for the good people who stepped up in her time of need.
“I’ve seen a lot of people see issues and then they just kind of like, ‘Oh, I’m sure someone else will take care of it,'” Kylie Vega said. “I’m just glad that didn’t happen to us… It’s nice to know that there’s still good people around in everyday life. I don’t know why it happened, but I’m just glad it turned out the way it did.”
Kylie added that the experience reinforced her instincts as a mother to keep her children close at all times.
“I see people all the time say you’re just running in and out real quick, your baby will be fine, but I’m always telling them, what if someone takes your vehicle?” Kylie said. “What if I had left her in the truck that day and it happened? We were going all the way to Safford that day too. So no, I’ll take her everywhere with me. Just something to think about if you got little ones.”
Nova’s father, Rudy Vega, echoed his wife’s sentiments, adding, “We’re thankful that she was there that day and able to help. Thank you so much.”
Following the award presentation, attendees, USPS officials, first responders, and family members celebrated with lunch catered by Kainoa’s Hawaiian Restaurant.
