Thursday, Aug. 20, was a great day for the Union County Sheriff’s Office, which got to recognize some fine men and women who went above and beyond the call of duty to save the life of another.
In honor of lifesaving efforts across two recent occasions, Sheriff Shawn Dyer presented Certificates of Merit to seven local first responders at the Union County Commissioner’s Meeting.
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The first incident occurred on June 27 when Deputy Buck Stover began having chest pains at his home: “Thank goodness his wife (Kimberly) talked him into calling 911,” Sheriff Dyer said.
Union County Fire and EMS crews responded quickly and began tending to Deputy Stover, transporting him to Fire Station No. 13 on Murphy Highway to conduct some tests. He then went into full cardiac arrest, according to Sheriff Dyer.
Crews from Fire and EMS were able to provide lifesaving measures to bring Deputy Stover back, and he has fully recovered and is back to work.
“Without that Station 13 being there where they were able to do this, and without the knowledge of these professionals, Mr. Stover wouldn’t be here today,” Sheriff Dyer said.
Stover agreed. He told attendees that, between local crews, his life flight and arrival at Northeast Georgia Medical, he received four lifesaving shocks from automated external defibrillators, and he credits the swift actions of local first responders for getting him to advanced medical care.
Sheriff Dyer recognized the crew that showed up that day and provided lifesaving measures to Deputy Stover, presenting each first responder with Union County Sheriff’s Office Certificates of Merit – Lifesaving Awards.
The crew was comprised of Union County Fire Lt. Travis Gibson, Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Mead, Firefighter Adam Podber, Union General EMS Paramedic Derrick Pruitt and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Amber Pruitt.
“Folks, these are the people that saved Mr. Stover’s life,” Sheriff Dyer said. “And when they’re working – and anybody else that works in Fire and EMS – you can be assured that they’re going to do everything they can do to keep you alive. And I’m really proud of that.”
The second recognized incident occurred in July at a residence on Trackrock Gap Road. A call came into the 911 Center in reference to a female who was unresponsive. UCSO Sgt. Michael Kearns and Deputy CJ Townsend were nearby and overheard the medical call.
Both Sgt. Kearns and Deputy Townsend are certified EMTs and volunteer firefighters. Even though it was a medical call, the two deputies responded without hesitation. They found the female in full cardiac arrest and unresponsive.
Sgt. Kearns immediately began CPR, and Deputy Townsend, who carries an automated external defibrillator in his patrol car, administered a shock to the patient. The deputies continued lifesaving measures until EMS arrived, then assisted EMS until the patient could be transported.
Due to the lifesaving measures that were rapidly deployed by the two deputies, the patient regained a pulse just as EMS arrived. She was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where she was listed in stable condition.
In incidents like these, seconds are vital. These two deputies arrived on scene several minutes prior to Fire/EMS and made the difference in the chances of survival for the patient.
Sheriff Dyer was proud to recognize the deputies with Certificates of Merit – Lifesaving Awards, and Sgt. Kearns and Deputy Townsend were also presented with Commendation Medals to be worn on their uniforms.
All award recipients received applause before posing for a picture that included Deputy Stover, his wife Kimberly, Sheriff Dyer and Chief Deputy Josh Berry, though Firefighter Podber was unable to attend the meeting.
“Great job, deputies,” the Sheriff’s Office said afterward. “The Sheriff’s Office and our community are fortunate to have such dedicated professionals that go above and beyond to serve their community and help those in need.”
