Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies recognized for saving lives using CPR, AEDs

Montgomery County, TN – Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were recognized tonight at the Montgomery County Commission Meeting for saving lives through the use of CPR and automated external defibrillators in three different incidents.

In the first incident on June 27th, Deputy Joshua Gardner arrived to a Gip Manning Road residence where a man was found unresponsive.

“Many times deputies are the first on the scene as Deputy Gardner was the in this incident,” said Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson. “With the AED’s and training that we receive from Montgomery County EMS, our deputies are prepared to administer CPR and use the AED if needed. Gardner was able to stabilize the man in this case until EMS arrived.”

Just as he was trained, Gardner began compressions, used the AED to administer shocks and Deputy Ryan Ayrest took over chest compressions. EMS arrived and the man was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he was in stable condition.

In another incident on June 28th, Deputy Paul Shannon arrived at a Highway 12 address where a 75-year-old was possibly having a stroke. Shannon arrived within minutes of the call, and could not find a pulse on the patient. Deputy Shannon along with assistance from a family member, began CPR along with the use of the AED, regained a pulse.

On July 13th, Deputies Ethan Moss and Denis Bowles responded to a Burton Trace address where a woman had been performing CPR on her unresponsive husband. The deputies moved the 62-year-old patient to the floor and continued CPR and used the AED on the patient until medics arrived.

In 2014, EMS donated AED’s and began training every deputy in using the device along with CPR to help sustain the life of a patient until EMS arrives.

“We continue to train our personnel in these practices during in-service each year,” Fuson said. “These three incidents show how important it is to have the right equipment and training in place for law enforcement, which are in most instances, the first on the scene. I am proud of these five deputies and proud that our service is making a difference for victims with medical emergencies.”

During the ceremony, both Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and Chief Jimmie Edwards of Montgomery County EMS showed their appreciation for these deputies.

“There are some folks walking around Montgomery County today with their families that would not have had that opportunity if it wasn’t for you,” Edwards said.