Texas police officer died | Daily Mail Online

The Texas police officer who went viral after being pictured in July enjoying an adorable tea party with the toddler he helped deliver a year ago has died, officials say.

Mark Diebold, Tarrant County Deputy Constable, died Thursday at the age of 48. His cause of death is not known but might have been a heart attack, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Diebold had worked in law enforcement since 1994 and had worked in the constable’s office since 2008. 

He became Internet famous after enjoying a tea party this past July with Evelyn Hall, the toddler he helped  to deliver on the side of a road one year prior.

Diebold died of unknown causes on Thursday at the age of 48. He might had died of a heart attack, officials said

Hall was born on July 18, 2016 while her parents Destiny and Caleb were on the way to the hospital. Diebold saw the couple speeding and upon realizing why they were speeding, offered his help

The Tarrant County DA tweeted about Diebold’s passing. In a statement, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said: ‘

Hall, of Granbury, Texas, was born on July 18 after her mother, Destiny Hall, went into labor on the way to the hospital with Evelyn’s father Caleb.

Diebold flagged the couple’s speeding vehicle down and, upon ascertaining the situation, offered to escort them to the hospital.

But, on the drive over, Destiny realized that her little girl simply couldn’t wait to be born.

‘[Destiny] said, “Pull over, I’m having the baby,” and I said, “No!”‘ Caleb explained to ABC News last year.

‘When she told me that it was happening, we were behind Officer Diebold and he had his lights and sirens going. I kind of had a small glimpse of hope that maybe we would make it.’

The group turned into a gas station, where the officer helped the parents bring Evelyn Joy Deborah Hall into the world. Hall weighed six pounds, 11 ounces at birth.

Ever since then, the officer has continued to be an important part of little Evelyn’s life, with her parents even honoring Diebold with a photoshoot featuring Evelyn leaning next to his badge.

Then, almost exactly one year since they first met, Deputy Constable Diebold joined the little girl for a tea party to celebrate her birthday.

Photos taken of the sweet moment, taken by Cyndi Williams, see the police officer in his uniform sitting at the tiny table with Evelyn, and even lifting one of the itsy bitsy teacups to his lips.

Evelyn’s siblings called Diebold ‘Uncle Mark’

Evelyn’s full name is Evelyn Joy Deborah Hall and upon her birth she weighed six pounds, 11 ounces.

Evelyn’s mother, Destiny, said: ‘Mark Diebold, without a doubt, is one of the most genuine, loving, thoughtful and caring [people] we have ever met. He is quick to think of others and we are so blessed to call him friend and family’

‘She loved clinking her little tea cup with him. They had a bonding moment there for sure,’ Destiny told ABC News.

‘Mark Diebold, without a doubt, is one of the most genuine, loving, thoughtful and caring [people] we have ever met. He is quick to think of others and we are so blessed to call him friend and family.’

The parents have since become good friends with Diebold, and little Evelyn’s siblings all call him ‘Uncle Mark.’

The Halls, in a memorial, described Diebold as ‘the world’s finest man’.

Destiny Hall wrote on Facebook: ‘You brought a light into our life as well as countless of others. I will miss your daily corny jokes on FB and your big smile.’

Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn wrote in a statement that Diebold was ‘an amazing person, and his light will be missed’.

Waybourn added: ‘[Mark’s family] need us more now than ever.’ Diebold leaves behind his wife and children.  

Diebold is pictured at the hospital with the woman, Destiny Hall, and her child, Evelyn

Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said that Diebold was ‘an amazing person, and his light will be missed’

The Halls, in a memorial, described Diebold as ‘the world’s finest man’