Did you know that our deputies carry AEDs in their cruisers? And wear tourniquets on their duty belts? They are also equipped with Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Sometimes, law enforcement officers are the first ones on the scene of an emergency. In these emergency situations, time is of the essence and a delay in administering medical care can be the difference between life and death.

That was certainly the case on Thursday afternoon when Sergeant Ron Jones swiftly responded to reports of a cardiac arrest at the Formosa Restaurant on Garrisonville Road. When he arrived, Sergeant Jones was directed to a man lying on his back in the kitchen while a restaurant employee performed CPR. Sergeant Jones immediately took over CPR and, moments later, Deputy DeAndre Taylor arrived with an AED. They deployed the AED and, shortly thereafter, Stafford Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and took over medical treatment. Not long afterwards, Sergeant Jones was relieved to hear that the subject had a pulse.

This incident is a perfect illustration of why Sheriff Decatur has emphasized the importance of equipping deputies with the life-saving tools and skills necessary to make a difference in emergencies. And, in this case, there is no doubt Sergeant Jones and Deputy Taylor made a difference—they helped save a life.