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Ga. inmates perform CPR on correctional officer, save his life

Six inmates jumped into action after the officer passed out during work detail

By Thomas Oide
Sacramento Bee

POLK COUNTY, Ga. — Whenever there is a medical emergency, it’s usually paramedics or firefighters who turn out to be the heroes of the story.

But last Monday, six inmates turned out to be the heroes after saving a correctional officer’s life in Georgia.

The officer, who was working security for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office work detail, passed out. It was 76 degrees and the humidity was at 100 percent. The officer asked to not be identified, according to CBS19.

After the officer passed out, inmates immediately removed his bulletproof vest so they could perform CPR. One inmate grabbed the officer’s phone to dial 9-1-1, according to a Facebook post from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

“When that happened, in my opinion, it wasn’t about who is in jail and who wasn’t,” inmate Greg Williams told CBS19. “It was about a man going down and we had to help him.”

Emergency responders eventually arrived and provided assistance.

“They really stepped up in a time of crisis and show that they care about my officers,” Polk County Sheriff Johnny Moats told CBS19. “That really speaks a lot about my officers too, how they treat these inmates. They treat them like people. Like family.”

The officer’s family thanked the inmates for saving his life by providing the inmates with pizza and dessert, according to the office’s Facebook post.

“We are very proud of the actions of all 6 inmates involved,” the post read.

Copyright 2017 Sacramento Bee

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