10 Rutherford County Sheriff Office employees awarded for literally saving lives

Jul 09, 2014 at 05:51 pm by bryan


Ten Rutherford County Sheriff's Office employees were recognized by Sheriff Robert Arnold for saving lives. Sheriff Arnold presented Life Savers pins to the employees during a ceremony Wednesday at the Sheriff's Office.

Recipients of the Life Saver Awards were Sgt. Whit Davis, SRO Shane Vaughn, SRO Michael Martin, Cpl. Josh Anderson, Deputy Michael Sparkman, SRO Joseph Rigsby, Deputy Katy Black, SRO Greg King, SRO Matt Powell, SRO Matt Roe and Sgt. Lee Young. "Our officers are trained to safe lives when we put on the uniform each day," Sheriff Arnold said. "I am extremely proud of all of you who answered that call, both on duty and off duty."

ADVERTISEMENT
Civil Warrants Sgt. Davis performed CPR on a woman who collapsed while eating lunch Oct. 23, 2012 at a Murfreesboro restaurant. Sgt. Davis took over CPR from a citizen trying to save the woman's life. After a few minutes, the woman began breathing on her own. Paramedics arrived and treated the woman who survived.

Deputy Vaughn responded to a vehicle fire where he found a woman on fire Nov. 19, 2012 near Rockvale. The woman was in grave danger. Deputy Vaughn placed himself in harm's way by running to the victim's aid very close to the burning vehicle, dragging her away from the burning vehicle and rendering aid until paramedics arrived. His swift action saved the woman's life.

SRO Martin responded Jan. 6, 2012 to a 17-year-old boy threatening people while caught up in school traffic on a street in front of the high school. Martin repeatedly ordered the juvenile to get out of the vehicle. A pistol was found on the suspect and he was arrested. SRO Martin protected the students from harm by his quick action.

Cpl. Anderson saved the life of a man who was not breathing Jan. 15, 2013 on Barfield Crescent Road by beginning CPR. Cpl. Anderson was the sole person who maintained airway and chest compressions for some time before paramedics arrived and took over treatment. Later, Cpl. Anderson learned the man would make a full recovery.

Deputy Sparkman was off duty and eating with his family at a Murfreesboro restaurant when a senior citizen's wife called for help in July 2013. Deputy Sparkman acted swiftly and used his first responder training to help clear the senior citizen's airway. The deputy used the Heimlich maneuver and another procedure that saved the man's life.

SRO Rigsby responded to Lavenia Woodall's home July 12, 2013 in the Leanna community where he found her face down and unresponsive with no signs of life. He began CPR and AED. A shock was advised and after doing so, Ms. Woodall gasped for air. EMS arrived and detected shallow breathing. Deputy Rigsby drove the ambulance to the hospital so paramedics could render aid to Ms. Woodall. She made a full recovery and returned to Siegel Elementary School. 

Deputy Black responded where she found a man on the couch not breathing Jan. 23 at Canebrake Lane in Lascassas. She immediately moved the subject to the floor and began chest compressions and rescue breaths until fellow deputies and paramedics arrived at the scene.

SRO King responded to a crash March 13 at Rockvale Elementary. As SRO King approached, he noticed the driver was convulsing. The doors were locked and the driver had no control of the vehicle and was unresponsive. SRO King picked up a blunt object and broke out the back window. SRO King gained control of the vehicle and administered first aid until the ambulance arrived.

SRO Powell was visiting March 9 with a second-grade class eating lunch when a girl choked on her food. She stood up and attempted to drink water. She dropped her cup, grabbed her throat and jumped up and down in panic. He grabbed her with his right hand and began to firmly smack her back with his open left hand. After striking her several times, the food became dislodged and her airway was restored. She sat back down and began to cry as her normal color returned. SRO Powell comforted the girl until a cafeteria employee brought her more water. He encouraged her to drink a few sips before taking her to the school nurse.

SRO Roe helped save the life of a John Coleman Elementary student collapsed who and went into cardiac arrest while running May 13. SRO Roe joined Principal Joe Phillips and the school nurse in saving his life. They started the code blue process, began CPR, called 911 and got the AED and shocked his heart. The boy's uncle is an emergency room doctor who stated he was truly amazed that the school had a defibrillator, and in such a stressful situation they were able to take the necessary actions to save his nephew. The doctor stated there is no question that their actions saved his life. He would not be with us had these heroes not acted.

Sgt. Young was on vacation when he noticed a man choking June 8 at a Ryan's restaurant in Mount Vernon, Illinois. The man walked toward Sgt. Young, holding his throat and not speaking.  Sgt. Young began the Heimlich maneuver with five or six thrusts to dislodge the food. The unidentified man thanked Sgt. Young and finished his breakfast. Sgt. Young rendered aid and saved the man's life.

Sections: News