Former 911 dispatcher recounts single call he will never forget, the call for pizza that was really a desperate call for help

PORTLAND, Oregon -- It was a call to 911 that one dispatcher initially thought was simply a prank, but luckily that dispatcher stayed on the line long enough to realize the call was really a call for help.

An brief post by a former police dispatcher on a reddit posing the question '911 Operators, what is that 1 call that you could never forget?' is being shared all over the internet.

In the post, user Crux1836 recalled one of the most memorable calls he ever took as a dispatcher:

Dispatcher: 911, where is your emergency?
Caller: 123 Main St.
Dispatcher: Ok, what’s going on there?
Caller: I’d like to order a pizza for delivery. (oh great, another prank call).
Dispatcher: Ma’am, you’ve reached 911
Caller: Yeah, I know. Can I have a large with half pepperoni, half mushroom and peppers?
Dispatcher: Ummm…. I’m sorry, you know you’ve called 911 right?
Caller: Yeah, do you know how long it will be?
Dispatcher: Ok, Ma’am, is everything ok over there? do you have an emergency?
Caller: Yes, I do.
Dispatcher: And you can’t talk about it because there’s someone in the room with you? (moment of realization)
Caller: Yes, that’s correct. Do you know how long it will be?
Dispatcher: I have an officer about a mile from your location. Are there any weapons in your house?
Caller: Nope.
Dispatcher: Can you stay on the phone with me?
Caller: Nope. See you soon, thanks.


BuzzFeed tracked down the dispatcher and reported that his name is Keith Weisinger.

According to Buzzfeed, Weisinger worked as a dispatcher between 2004-2006 while attending law school and is now an attorney in Portland Oregon.

“This call occurred almost 10 years ago,” he told Buzzfeed News. “I worked the graveyard shift, 6pm–6am, and I remember this call being pretty late – close to midnight.”


In his post, Weisinger said an officer arrived to the woman’s home shortly after the call. The woman had been beaten up, and the boyfriend was drunk.

The boyfriend was arrested.

Weisinger told Buzzfeed he never actually found out what happened to the woman after that.

“This is a part of the job most 911 dispatchers find frustrating. Beyond the immediate resolution – arrest, hospitalisation, etc – we rarely hear what happens to the people who call.”