When Tiffany Urban picked up the phone in 2019, she wasn’t just dialing 911—she was thinking fast to save her mom’s life.
At their Ohio apartment, Tiffany witnessed a horrifying scene. Her mom’s boyfriend, Simon Lopez, had turned a heated argument violent, allegedly punching her mom repeatedly and knocking her down. Tiffany knew she had to act quickly—but calling for help openly could make things worse.
So, she got creative.
Instead of directly asking for police, Tiffany told the 911 dispatcher, Tim Teneyck, that she wanted to order a pizza. At first, Tim thought she had called the wrong number. But when she insisted, “No, no, no. You’re not understanding,” he realized something serious was going on.
Here’s how their conversation went:
Teneyck: Oregon 911.
Urban: I would like to order a pizza at [address redacted].
Teneyck: You called 911 to order a pizza?
Urban: Uh, yeah. Apartment [redacted].
Teneyck: This is the wrong number to call for a pizza…
Urban: No, no, no. You’re not understanding.
Teneyck: I’m getting you now. Is the other guy still there?
Urban: Yep, I need a large pizza.
Teneyck: All right. How about medical? Do you need medical?
Urban: No. With pepperoni.
Tim’s quick thinking saved the day. He alerted officers to head to the scene but told them to turn off their sirens to avoid tipping off Lopez.
Police Chief Michael Navarre later praised Tim’s response, saying, “He handled the call beautifully. Some dispatchers may have hung up, but he didn’t.”
When officers arrived, they arrested Lopez on domestic violence charges. Tiffany’s quick wit had prevented the situation from escalating further.
But sadly, this act of bravery became one of Tiffany’s final moments. Just three weeks later, she passed away from cardiac arrest. Her family, though devastated, remembers her as a protector. “It was a shining moment,” her brother said. “She always put her family first.”
While Tiffany’s clever approach worked, experts caution against relying on “pizza codes” during emergencies. Dispatchers need clear communication to assess the danger and send help effectively.
“If all we know is someone ‘needs a pizza,’ we can’t always tell what’s happening,” explained Andrea Tobin, a communications supervisor. She advises callers to stay persistent, text 911 if possible, or use any safe method to convey the need for help.
Tiffany’s story is a reminder of the power of quick thinking and bravery. Her courage that night not only saved her mom but inspired others to think creatively in moments of crisis. Let’s honor her memory by sharing her story—and by learning how we can stay safe in emergencies.
Would you have picked up on the pizza code? Share this story with your friends to spread awareness and celebrate Tiffany’s heroic actions.
