Three inmates at the Gwinnett County Jail are being hailed as heroes after coming to the aid of a deputy who suffered a medical emergency as he was supervising a jail housing unit.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office saluted the three inmates, whose names were not released, on the agency's Facebook page.
"We are deeply appreciative to these three inmates for the courage, determination and kindness they displayed when they came to the rescue of our deputy who recently suffered a medical emergency while supervising a jail housing unit," the social media post said.
Sheriff's Office officials said the inmates first noticed the deputy was not feeling well as he was conducting security procedures during his shift. They saw the deputy return to his desk, where he collapsed and fell to the concrete floor, striking his head in the process.
The inmates were locked in their cells, but they began pounding on the doors.
"Soon the entire unit was thundering with noise as many inmates pounded on the doors shouting for our deputy who lay unconscious and heavily bleeding on the floor," the post stated. "Our deputy later stated that while he did not realize he'd been unconscious, he became aware of what sounded like pounding drums and could hear inmates shouting his name over and over. He immediately thought an inmate needed help and somehow managed to rise to his feet and press the control panel to open cell doors."
At that point, three inmates left their cells to help the deputy, who had lost consciousness again. The inmates used the deputy's desk phone and his radio to call for help.
The deputy was treated by medical personnel and is recovering at home.
"These inmates had no obligation whatsoever to render aid to a bleeding, vulnerable deputy, but they didn't hesitate. Many people have strong opinions about law enforcement officers and criminals, but this incident clearly illustrates the potential goodness found in both," the social media post said.
