Deputies save 2 lives and earn Life Saver Awards

Three Rutherford County deputies who saved two people earned Life Savers’ awards during a ceremony Wednesday at the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh presented the awards to School Resource Officer Shane Vaughn, Deputy Sarah Blair and Deputy James Elliott.

Vaughn was called to the La Vergne High School cafeteria when teacher Garry Gannon suffered a medical emergency Sept. 6. Vaughn told Nurse Rachel Bullard they needed to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Bullard began CPR while Vaughn attached the automatic external defibrillator.

The teacher began to breathe and move around. They treated him until paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital where he recovered.

Gannon said he was working lunch duty in the cafeteria when he told another teacher he felt dizzy. The next thing he remembered was when Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services paramedics loaded him into the ambulance.

The paramedic told Gannon his heart stopped.

“I’m glad to be here then,” Gannon replied.

He thanked Vaughn and Bullard for saving his life.

This is the third time Vaughn has saved lives.

In the second award, Fitzhugh said Blair and Elliott responded to a call where a man was unresponsive and not breathing Aug. 25 on Woodbury Street. Blair moved the man from his bed to the floor.

Deputy Blair and Deputy Elliott began CPR and used the AED to shock him twice before getting a pulse.

Elliott accompanied Emergency Medical Services paramedics in the ambulance to help care for the patient on the way to the hospital.

The man had a pulse when he arrived at the hospital. He was taken to the cardiac area for evaluation.

Due to Deputy Blair’s and Deputy Elliott’s professionalism and quick response of the AED, they saved the man’s life, the sheriff said.

Fitzhugh said it was gratifying to present the award to the deputies.

“This is the type of service deputies do every day,” Fitzhugh said. “I am very happy to recognize you for what you do.”