The Portland Police Department released dash-cam footage from one of its patrol cars that was in pursuit of a passenger car that was nabbed going 52mph (84km/h) in a 35mph (56km/h) speed zone.

While watching a police pursuit of a speeding vehicle from the officer’s point of view is always fascinating, that’s not what captured our attention in this video. It’s what traffic officer Mark James did in the middle of the chase.

Even though his adrenaline was flowing in race mode, he had the calm to notice and stop his car for a family of ducks that were walking on the road. James then exited the patrol vehicle and made sure the feathered animals made it to the side of the road in safety.

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